Free Papers presented at 1st Annual National Conference of Society for Addiction Psychology - 2023

 Free Papers presented at 1st Annual National Conference of Society for Addiction Psychology - 2023 


List of abstracts 



Demographic and clinical profile of women seeking treatment for substance use in an Indian tertiary mental health care hospital 

Ashwathi PG,1 Gitanjali Narayanan2 

1Clinical  Psychologist, Center for Addiction Medicine, National Institute for Mental Health and 

Neurosciences, Bangalore 

2Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute for  Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 

Background: Women  have unique  bio-psycho-social factors contributing to substance use. With the  increase in  the number of women seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs), and the dearth of associated literature, there is a need to consistently examine variables  associated with  the group. Aims and objectives. To  study the demographic and clinical profile of women seeking  treatment for  substance use  disorder in a Government De-addiction Centre in Bengaluru. Method: Retrospective investigation of hospital records was the main source of data for the study. Relevant details of  all females  who sought in-patient treatment  in the  de-addiction center  from Jan  2017 to  Dec 2022  were explored. Descriptive statistics  such as  mean, frequency  distribution was  used for statistical analysis. Results. A  total of 253 women sought inpatient treatment, with a mean age of 40 years ± 13 years. The primary substance of use was alcohol, followed  by opioids  and benzodiazepines.  Mean  age  of initiation  of alcohol  use was  26 ±  10  years,  and dependence was 31 ± 11 years. Most of the women (39%) reported the reason for initiation to be due to peer influence. Majority of  them were married and  living with their spouse (55%), unemployed or unskilled workers (19%),  middle- school educated  (27%), Hindus  (89%), above  poverty line  (62%) and  from Karnataka  (79%). Half  of the  women sought  treatment by  themselves. Several  reported facing  significant interpersonal and occupational  crises. One third was  diagnosed with  a comorbid  mood disorder.  Externalizing behaviors  such as  impulsivity (15%),  internalizing behaviours such as generalized anxiety (9%), along with developmental vulnerabilities such as poverty, aborted schooling, poor social support and family history of substance dependence were key inferences. Conclusions. The results indicate a significant trend in the demographic and clinical profile of women seeking treatment for SUDs, and are discussed in the light of relevant existing  data. 

Keywords: psychology of women, substance use, mental health. 


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To study the interpersonal and intrapersonal relationship and satisfaction in life as predictors of relapse risk in patients with substance use disorder 

Sona Khan 

Student,  Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth University 

Background: There are several factors that can increase the risk of becoming an addict making it hard to define why and  who are  more prone to it. As a  consequence of  substance use, health, interpersonal  relationships and  personal functioning  can decline  over time. A few  do try  to reduce  use but  withdrawal symptoms  may prevent  successful abstinence.  In certain cases, resilience  helps them  move ahead and overcome  those withdrawal  symptoms yet there always stays  the risk of relapse. As one  steps into the social  life they  become prone to relapse. Aims and  objectives. This  study explored  the interpersonal  and intrapersonal  relationship and life satisfaction  as predictors  of relapse risk in patients  with substance  use disorder.  It also  describes techniques  to prevent  relapse, skills  required to  improve interpersonal and intra personal  relationships and  factors promoting  abstinence or  leading to relapse. Method.  Fifty patients who previously  suffered substance  abuse disorders were given a self-administered  questionnaire consisting  of questions about  interpersonal relationships,  intrapersonal relationships,  satisfaction from  themselves, causal  factors to begin substance abuse and resilience to improve. Qualitative analysis of responses helped determine the objectives of  the study.  Results. It  was found  that  there  will be  a very  tiny percentage  of cases  that  are  most resilient  and committed to never using the substance again. Sobriety does affect their approach towards managing situations. Between 40 to 60 percent of people who were addicts might relapse and that is inevitable. Conclusion: Our findings show that resilience has been the key factor although family support does count and the satisfaction factor is somewhat complex to fit in. 

Keywords: interpersonal/intrapersonal factors,  substance use,  resilience. 



Metacognition, personality traits and psychopathology of person with alcohol dependence syndrome 

Hemant Kashyap,1 Karuna Kashyap,2 Nandan Kumar Thakur,3 Mahabir,4 Thiyam  Kiran Singh5 

1Ph.D. Clinical  Psychology Research Scholar, Mizoram  University 

2M. Phil Scholar Psychiatric Social Work, Pt. B.D. Sharma  University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana 

3Assistant professor, Department of Clinical Psychology,  Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur 

4Rehabilitation psychologist, department of psychiatry, Loona Hospital,  Panchkula 

5Associate  Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Mizoram  University 

Background: Alcohol  Use Disorder  (AUD) is  a debilitating  condition  with serious  adverse effects  on health  and psychosocial functioning. The most effective psychological treatments for AUD show moderate efficacy  and return  to dysregulated alcohol use after treatment is still common. The study can guide professionals to develop stress reduction programs  specifically designed for this population. Purpose: To study  the relationship among metacognition,  Person- ality traits  and psychopathology of person  with alcohol  dependence syndrome.  Methods:  The  research design was cross sectional  and using  purposive sampling  method. The  participants  were  recruited in  1 group  as  per  defined criteria. 60 peoples with alcohol dependence (n=60) from North India  within the age range of 18-40 years. The  tools used in study were: Metacognitions questionnaire for alcohol abusers (MCQ-A) and Million Clinical Multiaxial inventory (MCMI). The assessment  took 60 – 70 minutes for  each participant.  Results: The findings and  conclusion will  be presented at the time of paper presentation. 


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Spasmoproxyvon dependence and antisocial personality disorder: A case reports 

Arpita Roy,1 Geeta Singh2 

1P.D.C.P. Trainee, Dept. of Clinical  Psychology, AIBAS, Amity University,  Lucknow 

2Assistant Professor, Dept.  of Clinical  Psychology, AIBAS, Amity University, Lucknow 

Background: Drug  dependence is  a complex disorder  with multiple  factors involved. In 2019, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,  Government of India, conducted the National Survey on Extent and  Pattern of  Substance Use in India. The results of the survey  indicated that approximately 0.7%  of the Indian population suffer from opioid use disorders.  Most of these cases  are concentrated  in states  such as  Uttar Pradesh,  Punjab, Haryana,  Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,  Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh, with 25 lakh individuals facing dependence on pharmaceutical opioids such as SpasmoProxyvon. The ease of availability of these drugs has led to an increase in dependence. A few cases of such addiction resulting in death have been reported. Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate chronic opioid abuse by taking SpasmoProxyvon (SP). Method: A case study of  a 26 year old male with  a history  of multiple attempts at detoxification and relapse presented with complaints of increased consumption of SpasmoProxyvon (50-60 tablets), anger  outbursts, restlessness, low mood and decreased appetite. The  detailed psychometric assessment was conducted in terms of personality and clinical syndrome. Results and conclusion: The assessment findings of this case highlight the crucial role of  incorporating a personalized approach  to psychotherapy  with pharmacotherapy  in substance abuse treatment program for individuals with co-occurring personality disorders. These underlying personality dysfunctions can exacerbate the  symptoms of  addiction, increase the progression and severity  of withdrawal, trigger stronger drug cravings,  lead to multiple substance  dependencies, and  cause social discomfort. 

Keywords: opioid use, SpasmoProxyvon, opioid dependence, personality pattern. 



Association among negative affect, disinhibition and meta cognitive beliefs in adults with alcohol use disorder 

Surbhi Gupta,1 Deepika Srivastav,2 Sonia Puar3 

1AIBHAS, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 

2Assistant Professor, AIBHAS, AUUP,  Noida 

3Assistant Professor, AIBHAS, AUUP,  Noida 

Background: Alcohol is attributed  to 5.1%  of  the global  burden of  disease and injury. Adults with temperamental negative  affectivity are  more likely  to engage  in problematic  drinking to  alleviate the  emotional discomfort  while behavioural  disinhibition predisposes  them to  high risk  taking activities  like binge  drinking and  meta cognitive  beliefs about the outcome of this tendency maintain Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). Aims and objectives. To study the relation among negative effect, disinhibition  and meta  cognitive beliefs  in adults  with AUD.  Method. A single group  cross- sectional research design was  used. Adults  with AUD  were recruited  through purposive  sampling method.  DSM-5 Self-Rated  Level 1  Cross-Cutting Symptom  Measure—Adult, Alcohol  Use Disorders  Identification Test,  Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Positive Alcohol Meta cognitions Scale and Negative Alcohol Meta cognitions Scale, Disinhibition Inventory-I  and Adult Temperament Questionnaire  were administered  to collect  the data.  Correlational analysis  was completed with  IBM  SPSS  Statistics 29.0.  Results. The  data analysis  demonstrated that  negative  meta  cognitive beliefs (harm and uncontrollability) were positively correlated with disinhibition, fear, sadness, and discomfort. Positive meta cognitions (cognitive self-regulation) were negatively correlated with disinhibition and negative effect. Conclusion. The  study found  that disinhibition  and negative  affect increased  with negative  meta cognitive  beliefs  (harm  and uncontrollability) while they  decreased with positive meta  cognitive beliefs  of cognitive  self-regulation. 

Keywords:  alcohol use  disorders, disinhibition, meta cognitive beliefs, negative effect. 


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Cognitive flexibility and body awareness: a comparative study amongst young adults with and without alcohol addiction 

Sneha Gulati,1 Azmat Jahan2 

1,2Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Sciences 

Background: One of the most prevalent  addictions people battle with is  alcohol dependence, often known as alcohol use  disorder. It is characterized  by decision-making  impairments that  can exist  as stable  traits or as transient  states. Cognitive inflexibility is  thought to  contribute to  the inability  to abstain  from alcohol  by reflecting  an inability  to update information that guides decision-making. Long-term alcohol consumption  can weaken  body awareness, which is  defined as  paying attention  to normal,  unemotional body  processes, particularly  sensitivity to  bodily cycles  and rhythms,  the ability to detect  even minor changes in functioning and the ability  to anticipate  bodily reactions. Aims and objectives. The present  study compares  and examines  the relationship  between cognitive  flexibility and  body awareness  amongst those  who are  and are  not addicted  to alcohol.  Method. For  the present  study, a  sample of  60 participants (30 addicted  and 30  not addicted to alcohol) of age  range 18-35  were selected. The Cognitive  Flexibility Scale (Mathew & Rebecca, 1995) and Body Awareness Questionnaire (Shields, Mallory & Simon, 1989) was used to assess  the variables. Severity of Alcohol Dependence  Questionnaire (SADQ)  was also  used to  measure severity  of dependence on alcohol. It was  hypothesized that there will  be significant differences between  both the groups on all the  three  variables. Results.  Data was  analyzed using  t-test. Conclusion. The possibility  of improved  therapeutic management  for substance use patients were further discussed. 

Keywords: alcohol addiction, cognitive flexibility, body awareness. 



Recognizing alcohol dependence as an expression of unresolved grief 

Niyati Gautam,1 Deepika  Srivastav,2 Anuneet Sabharwal3 

1M.Phil Clinical  Psychology trainee, AIBHAS, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh 

2Assistant Professor, AIBHAS, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh 

3Director, The Happy Tree Deaddiction and Mental Health Hospital 

Background: Alcohol dependence has emerged as one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the Urban population of India. Unresolved grief is one of the precipitants commonly  seen in Alcohol dependence. The current case study of Mr.  K, 34  years old,  male, unmarried,  working in  the field  of Hotel  Management, experiencing  strong  desire  to consume alcohol, difficulties in controlling its use, progressive neglect  of work and hobbies and persistent alcohol use despite having  significant ill  health after  his parent’s  demise highlights the role  of unresolved  grief in  developing alcohol dependence. He reported appetite disturbances, social withdrawal, passive death wishes, decreased concentration, sleep disturbances  and decline  in motivation for goal-directed activities along  with intrusive  thoughts about  parent’s demise. Aims and  objectives: To accentuate on alcohol dependence  as an expression of Unresolved Grief. Methods: In  the view  of the  above difficulties,  objective and  projective psycho-diagnostic  assessments were  carried out  which included AUDIT, Grief Experience Questionnaire, Draw-A-Person Test, Rorschach Inkblot Test and Millon’s Multiaxial Clinical Inventory. Results and conclusion: The findings indicate presence of alcohol dependence syndrome, persistent low mood, difficulty in interpersonal relations, impulsivity, feelings of inadequacy, stubbornness, rigidity, indecisiveness, negative  self-concept, guilt  and  increased  fatigue.  Emotional  over-constriction and  disturbances in  coping is  also noted. The case  was formulated  in light  of the  test findings. The proposed  psychotherapeutic management  included Motivation Enhancement Therapy and Grief Therapy  in addition  to working  on craving  and withdrawal  symptoms along with effective  coping. 

Keywords: alcohol dependence, unresolved grief, psychological assessment, coping. 

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Review of outcomes research on marital and family therapy in treatment of alcoholism in Ayush Institute in 38 alcoholic patients 

Mrinalini Dattatray More,1 Sandip Tambare2 

1Counselor at Ayush Institute  for Addiction  Management, Solapur, Maharashtra 

2Director, Ayush Institute for Addiction  Management. Barshi Dist. Solapur,  Maharashtra 

Background: Substance  use disorder  are associated  with  numerous medical,  psychiatric, psychological,  spiritual, economic,  social, family & legal  problems, creating  a significant  burden for  affected individuals,  their families. Aim: Family intervention in the treatment of Alcoholic. Objective: Family therapy treatment of Alcoholism at Ayush institute, 38 Alcoholic patient. Methods: Al-Anon Facilitation and referral and spouse coping skills training, help family members cope better and community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) promotes treatment entry and was successfully transformed to a Ayush Institute for Addiction Management of community clinic in a new study. Results: Present study result of MFT for  two main stages of  changes to  Improve family coping and/or initiate. change  when the  alcoholic individual is  un willing to seek help & Aid the alcoholics recovery once the  individual has  sought help. Conclusion: Once  a Alcoholic  entered treatment  for un  willingly to  seek health family members  cope better and family  training promotes treatments entry of particularly behavioral couples Therapy  (BCT) is  clearly move  effective then  individual treatment and  improving relationship functioning. 


Understanding the interplay between the role of attitude towards treatment, barriers to treatment and motivation to accept or seek treatment in alcohol use disorder patients: an exploratory study 

Swati Rana,1 Garima  Joshi,2 Ridhima Shukla,3 Neeraj Pawar4 

1-4Students at Christ (Deemed to be) University 

Background: The presented research is an inspiration from the Recommendations of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)  Extramural Advisory  Board ‘Alcohol  Health Services  Research’, 2007.  Aims  and objectives: To  explore how  attitudes towards  treatment  and barriers  to care  impact motivation to seek and/or accept services across patients with alcohol use disorder. Knowing the patient’s perspective towards given aspects can help in creating improved and  more effective  treatment strategies  and continuum  of care.  Method:  95  male patients with Alcohol Use Disorder were selected through  purposive sampling  method from  rehabilitation centres in  Delhi NCR region. Patients were screened on MMSE for eliminating any level of cognitive impairment. Further, Attitude Towards Seeking Professional  Help Questionnaire, Barrier Questionnaire  and Patient  Motivation Inventory  was used.  Results and Conclusion: Data has  been collected and is  under the  statistical analysis.  Findings of the same will be  discussed in the light of  Indian Socio-Cultural  context. 

Keyword: Alcohol Use  Disorder, attitude, barriers, motivation,  treatment. 



Study of internet addiction and coping skills among school and college 

students of eastern U.P. 

Akanksha Singh,1 Jai Singh Yadav2 

1Counselor COE-AH, IMS, BHU, Varanasi 221005 

2Professor, Department of  Psychiatry 

Background: Use  of internet  among school  and college  going students in India is  growing rapidly.  Excessive use  of internet, level  of perceived  stress due  to academic  pressure may increase the  prevalence of  Internet Addiction  (IA) 

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among the students. Aim: The purpose  of the presents study was to assess and compare  the level of perceived stress, the  prevalence  of IA  and uses  of coping  skills among  the school  and  college  going students  in Varanasi  district. Material & Methods: The present study was based on cross-sectional comparative study design. A total of 100 school and college going students who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling method from  the selected  school and college in Varanasi district. All the  selected respondents  were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire  consisting of  socio-demographic Performa,  Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and coping skills questionnaire. Result: The prevalence of IA was found more (41%) among the respondents belong to  age group  < 20 years than others. Male  respondents were  found more  (71.1%) addicted with internet than females (50.9%). There was a significant association (p<0.05) found between socio-demographic variables such gender, and family income and IA. The perceived stress was found more among the respondents aged < 20 years, female, and belongs to rural areas. There was a significant  difference (p<0.05)  found in  the level of perceived  stress between age groups, gender, and residence of the respondents. The respondents, who use more negative coping stress than positive skills to reduce their stress, were found more addicted with internet. Conclusion: The level of perceived stress and pattern of coping skills plays important role in the prevalence of IA among school and college going Students. 



Dietary management of a diabetic patient with ODS: A case report from NDDTC, Ghaziabad 

Rekha Pal Shah,1 Atul Ambekar,2 Ravinda Rao3 

1Certified Diabatic Educator, Assistant  Dietitian, NDDTC, AIIMS 

2Professor, NDDTC AIIMS, 3 Professor,  NDDTC, AIIMS 

The prevalence of diabetes has been increased dramatically during the recent past, worldwide and in India. Objective: A case report on nutritional intervention for diabetes patient with opioid dependence syndrome (ODS). Case summary: A 65-year-old man, married and retired was admitted at NDDTC with ODS (injection Tramadol) for 10 years. Patient was a known case of T2DM (since 2002) with neuropathy (since 2010), on insulin human mixtard, HTN, and CABG. To find relief from neuropathic pain he started injection Tramadol (100 mg), which progressed eventually to a dependent pattern of use with tolerance, withdrawals, and compulsive use. On admission  Patient height was 165 cm and weight were 70 kg, BMI = 25.7 Kg /m2. FBS was 242 mg/dl and he was not following Diabetic diet. Apart from pharmacological management of his opioid withdrawals, he was also provided nutritional intervention: A  food frequency and 24 hrs dietary recall was captured at the time  of admission and on day 1, he was advised diabetic diet along with small and frequent meal (1400 kcal high fiber low fat) with low salt. Patient oral intake was low, after intensive diet counselling he showed improvement in diet  intake and  started to take appropriate  Diabetic diet  as advised  by Dietician.  (1400 Kcal, 52.g Protein diabetic diet rich in fibre, low fat, through small and frequent meal i.e. 3 major and 3 minor meal). By the time of  discharge, there was reduction in the  mean fasting  blood glucose levels 108 mg/dl, postprandial  blood glucose levels 188 mg/dl (after breakfast). Conclusion:  Dietary  management with lifestyle modification of  diabetic patient can  result in  significant reduction  in blood  sugar level  and improvement  in associated  symptoms even  in patients  with opioid dependence undergoing  detoxification. 

Keywords: Diabetes  mellitus, BMI, Food Habits,  Nutritional Intervention, WHO. 



Non pharmacologic intervention in acute alcohol withdrawal 

Bapurao Machindra Hulule,1 SandipTambare2 

1Manager at Ayush Institute For Indian Medical Sciences, Maharashtra 

2Ayush Institute For Indian Medical Sciences  Maharashtra 

Background: Addiction is worldwide spreading problem & It is Prio–psycho social problem. Aims & Objective: The importance of non pharmacologic interventions in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Method: A randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled trial was  conducted with 41 patients in alcohol withdrawal in an OPD department of ayush institute for Indian medical sciences. The patients received either supportive care (10 min of standardized assessments, 

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reassurance, reality orientation, and  nursing care  an hour)  with three doses of sublingual lorazepam  2 mg every 2  hr (30 patients,  drug group) or supportive care with  three doses  of sublingual placebo every 2 hr  (30 patients,  no-drug group). Immediately  before each  drug dose,  the clinical  course of  alcohol withdrawal  was assessed  hourly by  the Clinical  Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-A).  Interrupters reliability  in using  CIWA-A was  high. After each assessment, supportive care was given for 10 min before each dose. After completion of a 7-hr initial phase, patients  were discharged  and reassessed  daily for  7 days.  Result:  Thirty-seven  patients (90.2%)  improved  in  the initial phase. Treatment failures (CIWA-A > 10) were more common in the patients treated without drug (3120, 15%) than  in those  treated with drug (1121, 4.8%). Overall variations in intergroup CIWA-A scores during  the initial  phase were not  significant. The  rate of improvement of  CIWA-A scores over the first 2 hr after drug was  slightly faster in patients receiving lorazepam  than in the control group. CIWA-A scores were the same during follow-up. Conclusion: These results  indicate that  most outpatients  in mild  to moderate  alcohol withdrawal  without medical  complications improve  without drug  therapy in the Out  patient department  setting. 




Exploring recent trends in addiction and social connectedness: 

A science mapping study 

Prakhar Srivastava,1 Sayed Ebrahim Mubasheer S.M.,2 Samina  Bano3 

1&2Researchscholar Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia  Islamia 

3Department of Psychology,  Jamia Millia  Islamia 

Background: Addiction  has traditionally  been viewed as  an individual  problem,  however recent  research points  out that social  connection play  a critical  role in  the development  and treatment  of addictions.  Aims  & Objectives:  This study aims to explore recent trends and advances in research related to addiction and social connectedness. We attempt to reach  this aim  using performance  analysis and  science mapping.  Methods:  We  created a search string  containing multiple keywords related to addiction and social connectedness and searched the Web of Science database. The initial search yielded  8,034 studies. After limiting  the search  to English  language studies  published in  the last  5 years, we were left  with 3,122  studies. Further analysis was  carried out using Microsoft  Excel, Vosviewer and  Data Wrapper. Result & Conclusion: The analysis has  revealed  publication trends, thematic clusters  and  research collaborations in the focus area of study. The USA (n=1634), China (n=315), and Canada (n=223) published the most studies. India has also contributed to the field with 33 published papers. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (n=150), Plus One (n=65), and Frontiers  in Psychology  (n=56) topped  the list  of most  productive journals.  Mark D. Griffith (n=16),  Jason Gilies  (n=14) and Carl Latkin  (n=13) were  the most  productive researchers. Further, the bibliographic coupling revealed  the presence  of 5  clusters, out  of which  3 had  clear themes  (Substance Abuse  in Minority  and Marginalized Population, Internet and  Social Media Addiction in Youth, and Smartphone Addiction). This study  sheds light on recent advances  in the field, and it can  be helpful  in future research, policy initiatives and  interventions. 

Keywords: Addiction, Social Connectedness, Bibliographic Coupling. 


Psychosocial management of addiction 

Nabanita Hazarika1 

Clinical Psychologist,  Bishwanath Chariali Civil hospital, Assam 

Patient Mr. Pis 38  years old  married, Christian,  studied up to class  10th, hailing from  urban middle  socio-economic status,  came with  the chief complaints of  Excessive alcohol intake, Increased anger, Physically  and Verbally  abusive, Irrelevant talk, Decreased work functions, Crying  and Smiling to self  from the time duration of 18 years, where from last 6 months the symptoms have been increasing, with an insidious onset, continuous course and deteriorating progress in nature,  with a  significant personal  history of  marital conflicts,  adjustment problems  after that  pre morbidly  well adjusted with  significant mental  status examination  finding revealing  not maintained  eye to  eye contact  properly, decreased tone  of speech,  depressive affect,  Ideas  of  helplessness, poor  judgment with  grade  2  insight, can  be provisionally diagnosed as, Mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol, withdrawal state (F10.3) according 

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to ICD 10, was referred for psychological intervention. Total of 09 sessions were taken spanned over the duration of 1 month.  Motivational emotive,  Behavioral and supportive psychotherapeutic principles were applied to  the patient as well as his wife with  individual therapeutic approach. Initially Patient was  not very  receptive during the sessions but later he got an understanding of the illness and how it has developed and how it has been maintaining till now. He also started working  at home  properly as  mentioned by  his wife  in follow  ups. Along  with that  Patient started  having confidence  on him, started positively involving with his family,  interacting with others without hesitation. As  it was a very difficult case to me to handle with, but also a positive experience for me as a therapist as well as giving intervention to improve the conditions of  the patient. There was a little self  discouragement from going ahead with the  case when I got to know about the domestic violence and especially marital rape with the wife. But I successfully overcome from it and again started seeing the  patient with non-judgmental attitude. In spite  of having  all the  difficulties the therapy process was satisfying for me also as it was progressed. I  was successfully came out of it and terminated  the sessions with  intervention. 




Psycho-social management of substance abuse: A critical review 

Mudassir Aziz,1 Waheeda Khan,2 Arshad Hussain3 

1Research Scholar, SGT University, Gurgaon-Delhi-NCR,  India 

2Professor, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, SGT  University, Gurgaon-Delhi-NCR, India 

3Professor, IMHANS, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India 

Background: Evidence-based  psychosocial treatments  for substance  misuse  and dependence  have  advanced  and expanded significantly  in recent years. Aims  and method:  The  present study is based on literature  review, for  this purpose, many electronic  databases were  used which pertain to psychosocial issues  and application of therapies  in addictive disorders. Psychosocial therapies have  been proven  to be  generally successful. Some treatments,  including cognitive behaviour therapy,  motivational interviewing,  and relapse prevention, seem  to work  well with a variety of addictive substances.  Particularly for  opiate addicts, prescribing psychological counselling, which is found to be  more beneficial  than managing  only with  medication. Research on the ideal pairings of psychological  therapies and  any specific matching effects, if any, should also be included in the expansion of the evidence base psychological treatment. Result and conclusion: Evidence-based psychological therapies should be incorporated into all substance use disorder treatment  programmes as they are a crucial component of the treatment plan. 

Keywords: psychosocial  treatment, counselling,  psychotherapy, drug dependence. 



Psychosocial factors, severity of dependence and quality of life among patients with opioid use disorder 

Kehksha1 

1Assistant professor,  Department of Psychology, Tikaram Girls’ Degree College, 

Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University, Aligarh 

Background: Opioid is one of the most used substances in India and across the world which is often prevalent among specific socio demographic groups. These patients  often present  with several psychological problems like poor quality of life, anxiety,  and depression as the severity of dependence increases. Aims & Objectives: This study investigated psychosocial factors prevalent among opioid patients, and to find out the severity of substance dependence and quality of life  of these  patients. Method  and materials:  A  sample of  60 consecutive patients  diagnosed  with opioid  use disorder (OUD) as per DSM-5 criteria has been taken through purposive sampling method from a tertiary care hospital. All the patients  were assessed  on semi-structured  clinical &  socio demographic  data sheet, severity  of dependence scale,  and WHO-quality of life-BREF. Result: Results indicated that majority of the patients  were Muslims (56.7%), graduates  (41.7%),  living  in  urban  areas  (61.7%),  unmarried  (70%),  students  (51%), and  were  from  middle socioeconomic status (71%). Half of the patients (51.7%) claimed that peer pressure caused them opioid use disorder. Family history indicated that 30%  patients had been facing poverty. Approximately  one-third of the patients  reported 

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that their  parents were  overcritical to them (23.3%). One-fourth of the patients  reported violence  in their  families. 26%  patients had  family history  of alcohol  and/ substance  use, and  23% patients  attempted suicide  once in  their lifetime. Mean age of the patients was found 23.68  years. A high number of patients  (77%) reported high severity  of dependence. More than 70% of the patients reported poor quality of life. Conclusion: Some people are more likely to suffer from opioid use disorder than others due  to their  specific socio demographic profiles. Poor psychosocial  status and  poor quality of life may lead  them to  further psychiatric  illnesses. There  should be a comprehensive  treatment program  not only  for these patients but for their  families too  so that better outcome could be obtained. 




Screen time use questionnaire (STQ): Content validation and field testing amongst adults 

Ashwini Tadpatrikar,1 Manoj Kumar Sharma,2 Senthil Amudhan,3 Geetha  Desai4 

1Ph.D. Scholar, Department of  Clinical Psychology,  National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences 

(NIMHANS), SHUT Clinic, Bengaluru 

2Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology,  National Institute  of Mental  Health and Neurosciences 

(NIMHANS), SHUT Clinic, Bengaluru 

3Additional Professor, Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences 

(NIMHANS), Bengaluru 

4Professor,  Department of Psychiatry, National  Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 

Bengaluru 

Background: The ubiquitous presence of screens, our constant interaction and time spent with them suggests that this is the  ‘Age of  Screen’. Existing  assessments are  mainly focussed  on internet  use or  internet addiction.  However, internet is a part of wide spectrum of infor- mation and communication technologies. There is a dearth of assessments for screen time use in India and especially amongst adults, who use screens for work and recreational purposes. Aims & Objectives: The objectives of the study were to validate the Screen Time Use questionnaire (STQ) in Indian setting amongst adults  and  to  assess its  impact on  physical and  mental well-being.  Methodology:  The  Screen time  use questionnaire (STQ)  was developed  by Vinciano  et al. (2019). A  total of  10 experts in mental  health and  behavioural addiction were contacted through purposive sampling for validation and modification of the questionnaire. The modified scale and questionnaires for assessing physical and  mental well-being  were given  to 40  adults for  the field  testing. Results: The content validity  index (CVI) for the STQ was 0.98 with modifications  suggested from  the 10 experts. The reliability  was assessed  using Cronbach  alpha which  was found to be  0.76 suggesting internal consistency. The socio-demographic profile  of the sample indicated  working professionals, mainly in  private sector, in the age range  of 22-45 years. The average screen time use was 6 hours per day during the week-day and 7 hours during the week-end. The  frequently used  type of  screen was  found be  laptop (40%)  followed by  mobile phone  (25%). Further  results indicating high positive co-relation between  screen time  use and body pain,  anxiety, high  distractibility and  negative correlation  between  physical activity.  Conclusion: The  study has  implications  for assessing  screen  time use  and providing guidelines  or recommendations for healthy  screen time  use amongst  adults. 




Family environment, marital satisfaction and quality of life of alcoholics and non-alcoholics and their spouses 

Ashok Parasar,1 Dinesh Naik2 

1Clinical  Psychologist, MCS, District Hospital, Gyanpur, Bhadohi,  UP 

2Principal, Arts, Commerce and  Science College,  Lasalgaon, Nasik 

Background and aims: The present  study aims  to see the differences in family environment, marital  satisfaction and quality of life of alcoholics and non-alcoholics and their spouses. Method: The sample comprised 600 participants out of  which 150  were alcohol dependents (alcoholics) and 150  were their spouses. 150  normal control  (non-alcoholic) and 150 were their spouses from Ankur Rehab Centre, Indore, M.P. The Non-Alcoholic participants were also collected in  Indore,  Madhya Pradesh.  The method  of  sample  selection was  purposive sampling. Alcohol Use  Disorders 

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Identification Test Second Edition (WHO, 1992), Family Environment  Scale-Indian adaptation of FES, (Joshi & Vyas, 1987),  Marital Satisfaction  Scale (MSS),  (Amrutraj &  Prakash, 1985), The WHOQOL  (World Health  Organization Quality of Life) - 100 (WHO, 1994) were used in data collection. Results: The study revealed that there is a significant difference between the alcoholics and non-alcoholics as well as spouses of Alcoholics and Non-alcoholics. Conclusion. From this study,  psychologists, counselors,  social workers/and  other professionals will get  few indications  regarding areas of  intervention with  alcoholics and  mostly how to tackle with the  spouses of alcoholics. 

Keywords:  alcoholics, non-alcoholics, quality of  life, marital  satisfaction, family  environment. 



Internet addiction as predictor of cognitive inhibition in male and female early adults 

Aysha  Saifi1 

1Research Scholar, Chaudhary Charan Singh University,  Meerut 

Background and aims: The  purpose of  this research  was to study  the internet  addiction as predictor of  cognitive inhibition in male and female early adult subjects.  Method: The  sample consisted  of 120  male  and female (N=60, each)subjects within the age group of 18-26 years. Internet addiction was measured with the help of Internet Addiction Test developed  by Kim- berly Young to measure internet addiction  and Cognitive  inhibition was measured by  Stroop Colour Word Test. Obtained data was statistically analyzed by t-test, correlation, mean and SD. Results and conclusion: There  was no significant correlation  between internet  addiction and  cognitive inhibition  of male and female  subjects. Further, gender was  found to be a  signif- icant  factor on  internet addiction in early  adult subjects and no  significant effect  of gender was found  on cognitive inhibition. 

Keywords: internet addiction, cognitive inhibition, Stroop Colour Word Test, gender, early adults. 



Predisposing role of anxious avoidant personality trait in the development of opioid dependence 

Debarupa Ghosh,1 Deepika Srivastav,2 Anuneet Subharwal3 

1M.Phil  Clinical Psychology  trainee, AIBHAS, Amity University, Noida Uttar  Pradesh 

2Assistant  Professor, AIBHAS, Amity University,  Uttar Pradesh, Noida 

3Director, The Happy Tree Deaddiction and Mental Health Hospital 

Background: Opioid dependence among the young adults has been growing as a public health concern recently. The present case report focuses on a patient,  Mr. P, 27 years old, unmarried,  male, currently  unemployed, presented  with the complaints of a strong desire to consume Her- oine and Suboxone and physiological withdrawal following abstinence with a history of use  of self-prescribed  anti-anxiety medications  (Valium and Addnok), alcohol,  cigarettes and brown sugar with  a five years duration  of illness.  Aims and objectives:  To  understand the  predisposing, precipitating  and maintaining factors and to prepare psychotherapeutic management plan. Method: In the view of above symptomatology, psychodiagnostic assessments were  planned which included Alcohol  Smoking and Substance Involvement  Screening Test, Bender  Gestalt Test,  Millon  Clinical  Multi-axial Inventory-III,  Sack’s Sentence  Completion Test, Thematic Apperception Test, Rorschach Inkblot Test,  Beck’s Anxiety  Inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.  Results: The personality  assessment findings  suggested the presence of anxious avoidant  personality traits with difficulty in emotion regulation. The results  also indicated self-blame, anxiety,  ideas of  guilt and marked desire  to establish  stable inter-personal relationships. With the help of the findings,  the case  formulation was  prepared and  psychotheraputic sessions were provided. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the  predisposing role  of anxious-avoidant personality trait in the development  of opioid dependence in  the present  study. 

Keywords:  opioid dependence,  anxious avoidant personality, psychological assessments, pre-disposing  factors. 



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Problematic internet use, bedtime procrastination and quality of sleep among young adults 

Azmat Jahan,1 Divyani Khurana2 

1,2Assistant Professor, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad 

Background: Problematic  internet use is a compulsive and problematic use of internet for prolonged  periods of  time that significantly impairs the  function of an individual. It has been an emerging problem  impacting individuals from all walks of life especially the young adults who often remain captured by the internet. Consequences range extensively from  physical to  mental health  and also  impacting the  individuals social and work-life  functioning.  Implications  of problematic internet use are also found in the area of sleep deprivation and poor quality of sleep. Aims and objectives: The current study aims to assess the link between problematic internet use, quality of sleep and bedtime procrastination and the  effect of  problematic internet  use on  quality of  sleep and  bedtime  procrastination.  Method:  The  sample comprised 100  indi- viduals  within the  age range  of 18-25  years. Internet  addiction test  (Young, 1998),  Bedtime Procrastination Scale (Kroese, Ridder, Ever & Adriaanse, 2014) and Single Item Sleep Quality Scale (Snyder, DeMuro, Morrison & Ball, 2018) was used to measure the variables of  the study. Results:  The data collection of the  present study is under process and  the result  is awaited. The proposed outcome of the present  study is that there  would be a significant effect of problematic  internet use on sleep  quality and bed-time procrastination. Conclusion: The findings of  the present  study could  help develope  intervention and  management plans for promoting health related  behaviour among adults. 

Keywords: problematic  internet use,  bedtime procrastination, quality of sleep, young adults. 



COVID-19 and the changes in the pattern of opioid use and the determinants of change: a study from tertiary care hospital in Kashmir 

Arjuman Fayaz,1 Yasir H. Rather,2 Nighat Akbar,3 Ubaid Rasool4 

1-4 Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Kashmir 

Background: The COVID19 crisis has created unprecedented social upheaval with negative impacts on human freedom, economic  growth as  well as  physical and  mental health.  Aims  and objectives:  The  study assessed  the impact  of COVID-19 lockdown on the people with opioid use disorder, reasons of initiation of opioid use during COVID times, risk taking  behaviors and  psychiatric comorbidity. The results  were compared  with previous  study carried  out in  the same center. Methods: The study is a retrospective chart review study to assess socio-demographic and clinical profile of  206 participants  who visited  the De-addiction  center of  IMHANS from  February 2021  to June  2021.  Results: Majority of the participants were males, with mean age being 24.4 years compared to 28.1 years in the previous study. 25%  of participants  were students.  Heroin was  the predominant  drug of  use and  parental route being the  dominant route  of use.  27.6% of  people initiated  opioid use  during lockdown  with most  common reason of initiation  during COVID-19 being social isolation (36.5%).  High risk behaviors of sharing and  reusing needles was prevalent  (92.8% and 34.7% respectively) compared to 87.1% and 19.7% respectively in the previous study, along with the presence of blood borne infections (53.76%). About 60.84% of the participants had a psychiatric comorbidity with MDD being the most common  disorder reported.  Conclusion: A  good proportion  of people  initiated opioid use  dur- ing  lockdown. High risk behaviors of  reusing and sharing needles  was very  prevalent along  with psychiatric comorbidity during the COVID-19  pandemic. 

Keywords: COVID 19,  substance use patterns, psychosocial factors 



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Threat and prevention of alcohol abuse: understanding the dynamics of pathology and wellness 

Shubham Gupta,1 Azmat Jahan2 

1Department of Applied Psychology, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies 

2Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, Manav Rachna International Institute of  Research and Studies 

Background: Alcohol  abuse is  detrimental and  its  prevalence in  Indian population has in- creased  in recent  years. Literature has reported that  about 14.6%  of the population consumes  alcohol and  are prone  to illness. Considerable work has been done for treating alcohol abuse among adults but research on prevention and analysis of the impact on the population is limited. Aims and  objectives: The aim of this study is to address this gap by conducting systematic literature review  to study the prevention  programs on  emerging adults. The objective  of the research is to assess the efficacy of existing prevention  programs among  these adults.  Method:  Systematic  review of research articles  was conducted across JSTOR, PubMed and Springer databases. It included longitudinal, quasi-experimental and experimental studies. The research  papers were examined for  eligibility using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison,  Out- come) criteria.  Results and Conclusion: Various  factors were  identified  including the  risk  and protective  factors influencing the use, misuse, and abuse alcohol in emerging adulthood. The current research is encouraging and suggest implications for  planning interventions  to prevent alcohol abuse in this population. 

Keywords: young adulthood, emerging adulthood, alcohol abuse, prevention. 


A comparative study of neuropsychological functioning in aggressive and non-aggressive alcoholics 

Akshat Shukla,1 Mona Ranga2 

1Undergraduate Student, Department of Psychology, Keshav Mahavidyalaya,  University of Delhi 

2Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Keshav  Mahavidyalaya, University  of Delhi, India 

Background: Alcohol-related  aggression accounts  for a  significant portion  of  violent crimes,  especially child abuse and intimate partner violence, worldwide. It is also known, however, that alcohol  does not elicit aggressive behavior in all consumers. Existing  literature on  alcohol addiction does not refer to  the mechanisms underlying the  distinction between aggressive  and non-aggressive  alcoholics extensively  enough, especially  with regard  to the  neurological damage following  long-term alcohol use and  why it differentially affects  behavioral tendencies in addicts. Aims  and objectives: The  current study  aims to  differentiate aggressive  and non-aggressive alcoholic  patients on the basis of neuropsychological functioning. The key objectives of the study are to assess the type and degree of neuropsychological impairment  in aggressive  and non-aggressive  alcoholics  and  to check  for differences  in the  same  between  them. Method: The participants (n = 30)  comprised patients  with a  diagnosis of Alcohol  Use Disorder  (DSM 5).  Patients will be  assessed on  alcohol-related aggression  using the Alcohol-Related Aggression  Questionnaire (ARAQ)  and accordingly  be grouped under ‘aggressive’  and ‘non-aggressive’. This will  be followed  by the  administration of  the AIIMS-Comprehensive Neuropsychological Battery  (AIIMS-CNB) to  assess their  neuropsychological functioning in various cognitive and behavioural domains. Results: A comparative analysis of the performance of the two groups will be  made  and  the  results  will  be  presented  and  analysed  using  suitable  visual  representations  and  statistical methods.Conclusion: The conclusions will be drawn based on the interpretation of the results obtained following data analysis. 

Keywords:  alcoholism, addiction,  aggression, neuropsychological  assessment 




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Evaluation of neurocognitive, personality, emotional and psychosocial biomarkers as candidate endophenotypes for opioid use disorder and their relationship with polymorphism in opioid & dopamine receptor genes: implications for prevention & treatment 

Deepshikha,1 Prabhoo  Dayal2 

1Junior Research Fellow, National Drug Dependence Treatment Center (NDDTC) and 

Department of Psychiatry, Ghaziabad,  India 

2Additional Professor of Psychiatry, NDDTC, All India Institute of  Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 

New Delhi, India 

Background: Substance use disorders are among the common psychiatric disorders world-wide. It is a chronic relapsing disorder that manifests in a small subset of people exposed to the substance. It is still unclear why only a small subset of people exposed to substance subsequently develop substance  use disorder.  Opioid use  disorders are representative substance use disorders which are chronic, associated  with significant social, economic and health  harm, ad-  versely impacting the social fabric and requires long term management. A recent survey in India reports that the prevalence of opioid dependence is  0.70%, and to the  best of our knowledge  there is  no Indian  study that has assessed relationship of endophenotypes  of opioid  use disorder  with opioid  and dopamine  receptor gene  polymorphisms. The  etiological mechanisms  and pathophysiology of this chronic relapsing disorder remains poorly understood. Hence there is a need to identify  individuals who  are at  high risk  of developing  substance use disorders. But  currently there are no  such sensitive  and specific  measurable markers  that can serve as  true biomarkers  to identify  individuals who  are at  high risk of  developing substance  use disorders. Aims and objectives: To identify neuro-cognitive, personality,  emotional and  psychosocial  biomarkers  as  candidate  endopheno  type  for  opioid  use  disorder  and  their association  with polymorphism in opioid and dopamine receptor genes. Method: This study will compare the neurocognitive, personality, emotional and psychosocial biomarkers of opioid-dependent individuals,  their non-drug-dependent siblings and healthy unrelated comparison  volunteers to  identify the  candidate endophenotypes  for opioid  use disorder. The concept  of endophenotypes  helps in  understanding the  underlying factors  that make  an individual  vulner- able  to opioid  use disorder. Results& conclusion: The study is ongoing. However, there are a few findings that will be discussed during the  conference. 

Keywords: Opioid Use Disorder, biomarkers, endophenotypes, polymorphism,  Dopamine Receptor Genes 




Study of psychological dysfunction and cognitive impairment in alcohol 

dependence patients 

1Sachin Kumar Prajapati 

1PhD  scholar, Department of Clinical Psychology, Mizoram University 

Background: Alcoholism  has a  higher prevalence  of comorbid  psychiatric  disorders than  the general  population. Heavy drinking has been shown to affect the neuropsychological performance (e.g. memory functions) of young people and may impair the growth and integrity of certain brain structures. Depression is also a common comorbid condition in recently detoxified alcoholics and may relate to both the physiological effects of alcohol withdrawal and psychological factors such as remorse over one’s actions. Aims and objectives: An objective of the study will be to assess psychological dysfunction  and cognitive  impairment in  alcohol-dependence patients  and to compare them  with healthy  controls. Method: Across-sectional, non-interventional, case-control study  would be applied for the present study. A total of  40 participants consisting  of 20  alcohol dependent patients and  20 healthy  controls will  be randomly  selected for  the study. Data will be collected from the Drug De-addiction center in Delhi. The Michigan Alcohol Screening test (MAST) will be  applied for  assessing alcohol  dependence, Brief  Symptoms Inventory to assess psychological dysfunction and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) will be used to determine cognitive impairment. Results and conclusion: 

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Depending  on the nature of  data, appropriate statistical analysis would be  carried out for the same. 

Keywords: Psychological dysfunction,  Cognitive impairment and Alcohol dependence. 




Neuro cognitive deficits & neurobiological abnormalities due to tobacco: A narrative review 

Rudrakash Banga,1 Abhishek  Banga2 

1Registered Nurse, AIIMS, New Delhi, India 2Counselor, WCD, Delhi, India 

Background: Despite  its addictive  effects, tobacco  is one  of the  most  prevalent substances  used in  India. It  has negative effects on the physical and mental health of the consumer. Extensive literature has been dedicated to elucidating the negative consequences of tobacco use on physical health including cancer, pulmonary and cardiovascular functions. However, little is known about its impact on cognition and neuropsychological functioning. This is due to a considerable gap and confounding status of tobacco use in literature due to its associated use with other substances like alcohol and cannabis.  Aims  and  objectives:  This  review  article  is  intended  to  delineate  the  neurocognitive  deficits  and neurobiological  abnormalities due  to  tobacco  use. Method.  For this  review,  peer-reviewed  human  studies  on neurocognitive and neurobiological abnormalities  due to  tobacco in  general population  was searched  for by  using [“Neuropsychological*” AND “Cognit*” AND “Neurocognit*” AND “Tobacco*”] as search query in 3 search engines namely PubMed,  Scopus and  Web  of  Science indexed  during the  period  of  last 10  years (from  2011  to  2022). Longitudinal, cross-sectional, meta-analytic studies  and systematic  reviews based  on neuro  imaging techniques were included. Results: The search query resulted in a total of 123 studies in PubMed (30 studies, 13 full text), Scopus (46 studies, 23  Green Open Access) and Web of  Science (47  studies, 28  Open Access). After going  through  titles and abstracts and removing duplicate  studies, a  total of  25 relevant  articles were  chosen to  synthesise  results.  Results indicated  associations of tobacco with global brain  atrophy, changes  in reward centre, salience processing and  insular cortical dysfunction and other structural and biochemical changes in commissural white matter, anterior frontal regions and subcortical  nuclei. Neuro cognitive deficits  like cognitive  impulsivity, cognitive  flexibility,  general  intellectual abilities, selective attention, visual attention, alternating attention working memory, short-term and long-term memory, processing accuracy, processing speed, and executive functioning were found to be most affected. Furthermore, prolonged prenatal tobacco exposure has also been found to be responsible for problems in emotion regulation, disruptive behaviour disorders like ADHD and conduct  disorders and lower verbal IQ owing to affected neural circuitry. Conclusion: It is recommended to investigate the causal and mediating  role of tobacco in neuro cognitive  deficits and  neurobiological abnormalities in  future clinical  studies with  better methodologies  and alternative methods for  detection. 

Keywords: tobacco, neuro cognitive deficits, neurobiological  abnormalities, neuro imaging. 



Study on personality and neuropsychological aspects of substance abusers in rehabilitation settings 

Sandip Manikrao Tambare,1 Kundan Kambale2 

1Director, Ayush Institute for Addiction Management, Solapur,  India 

2Consulting Psychiatrist, Ayush Institute for Addiction  Management, Solapur, India 

Background: There  is a  need to  explore the  personality  and neuropsychological  aspects of  substance users  in rehabilitation  settings. Aims  and  objectives:  The  purpose of  this  study  was  to investigate  the personality  and neuropsychological  aspects of  individuals using alcohol, cannabis,  opioids and those using multiple substances within a rehabilitation set up. Method: Severity of substance use, personality and neuropsychological aspects such as problem solving  and  set shifting  capacity was  explored. Across  substances, individuals  with  long  term use  consistently demonstrate neuropsychological impairments of executive (inhibitory) control, working memory, planning and decision making along with  neuropsychological abnormalities involving fronto-temporal  and basal ganglia circuits.  Results: These  deficits are dose dependent  in some  cases implying  that they  are a  direct consequences  of prolonged  drug 

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exposure. Conclusion:  The  findings suggest  that co-morbid behavioral,  personality and mental  health problems  are common among those using substances. 

Keywords:  personality, neuropsychological deficits, substance  use, rehabilitation  setting. 




Neuropsychological sequalae and regional cortical volumes of cocaine use disorder 

Rahul Joshi,1 Sunil Kumar Khokar,2 Corey Ratcliffe,3 Eduardo A.  Garza-Villarreal,4 Jitender Saini5 1Clinical Psychologist, Dept of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bengaluru,  India 

2PhD Scholar, Dept of NIIR, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India 

3PhD Scholar, Dept of NIIR, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India 

4Assistant Professor, Institute of Neurobiology (INB), UNAM campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico 

5Professor, Dept of NIIR, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India 

Background: Cocaine  use  disorder  (CUD) has  been  associated with  decrease  in cortical  volumes and  functional impairments. Aims and objectives: This study has threefold objectives, a) to compare the regional cortical volumes in CUD and healthy controls (HC), b) to compare the performance of CUD and HC on neuropsychological measures, and c) to examine the association between the regional cortical volumes and performance on neuropsychological measures. Method: Data  was acquired  from the  open-access  Mexican magnetic  resonance  imaging dataset  of patients  with cocaine  use disorder  comprising T1-MR images, clinical measures and neuropsychological assessment  data. Data of 139 participants (CUD-74 and HC-65) were used from the database. The regional brain volumes were computed using CAT 12.  Statistical analyses were done  using SPSS 25. Results: Significant volumetric  differences were found in the volumes of the left frontal lobe, right frontal lobe, and left insular lobe, between the groups. Further,  the groups were found  to have  differential performance  on measures of impulsivity,  cognitive load,  working memory  and theory  of mind. Significant associations were found between  regional brain volumes and  cognitive performance.  Conclusion: The findings are suggestive of differential cortical brain volume and cognitive performance between the groups, along with negative associations between  regional brain  volumes and cognitive impair-  ments. 

Keywords: Cocaine Use Disorder, Structural MRI,  neuropsychology, Open Access Dataset, Volumetry. 



Metacognition and affect in relation to maladaptive mobile phone use among school children: an exploratory study 

Andree,1 Sanjay  Kumar Munda,2 Preeti Gupta3 

1Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of  Psychiatry, Kanke, Jharkhand 

2Associate Professor,  Department of Psychiatry, Central  Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke,  Jharkhand 

3Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical  psychology, Central  Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke,  Jharkhand 

Background: Maladaptive mobile phone use is not uncommon among school children. Recent research has suggested that metacognitions and affect may play  a role across the spectrum  of addictive behaviours, including problematic use of  technological devices. The presence  of stressful events and encounters along  with poor emotion regulation  skills may lead adolescents to relieve their negative emotions by using smart phones excessively. Aims and objectives: The goal of the present study was to study metacognition and affect among school children with maladaptive mobile phone use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The sample was collected online through google forms from 83 students of classes 7 to 9 from two second- ary co-educational schools from Kanke, Ranchi, India. This was an explorative study and data was collected  from the school session  of 2020-2021. Results: The  results of the present  study showed  that 68% school going children from classes 7 to 9 had maladaptive mobile phone use out of which 20% had problematic use and 47.5% had occasional problems. There was  a sig- nificant relationship  between metacognition and affect in children  with maladaptive  mobile  phone  use. There  was impaired  metacognition in  participants with  maladaptive 

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mobile phone  use. All  the domains  of metacognition  were elevated  in the  problematic use  group. Children  with maladaptive mobile phone use have  more negative  emotions as  compared to positive emotions.  Negative affect  was more  in children  with problematic mobile phone use as compared to those with occasional problems. Metacognitive impairment has a positive correlation with neg- ative affect in females with maladaptive mobile phone use as compared to males.  Conclusion: Although  more research  is needed  to identify the  underlying mechanisms, findings suggest  a need to  sensitize students and educators  about the  potential academic  risks associated  with high-frequency  mobile phone  use. 

Keywords: affect, COVID19, maladaptive mobile phone  use, metacognition. 



An investigation into the characteristics of exercise addiction among female amateur runner in Delhi and NCR 

Indu Bala,1 Mohsin Uddin2 

1Research Scholar, Department of Applied Psychology,  Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, 

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad 

2Consultant, Ministry of Education, GOI 

Background: People who are addicted to working out will maintain a very strict exercise routine, become preoccupied with it, continue to do it even though they are injured and further exertion is bad, refuse to stop exercising even when they want to, aim to burn more calories to lose weight, have a constant fear that they will lose the body they gain and obsess with  physical fitness  and exercise. These characteristics  defines the  component model  of exercise addiction (EA). Aims and objectives: This study looks at exercise addiction (EA) in amateur runners from a variety of perspectives, including demographics  (age, educational,  marital and  professional factors),  training factors  (duration of  running activity, weekly time spent running, num- ber  of events  participated) and addiction characteristics (increase  in activity, stress, time, intention  effect and  lack of control tolerance). Method: Exercise Addiction inventory  (EAI) was used  to assess the prevalence of EA in amateur runners. A total 100 females in the age group of 18-55 from Delhi NCR were selected for filling up EAI. Through observation and inter-  view methods,  respondents having  EA were  investigated for characteristics of EA. Results and conclusion: 39% respondents were found to have EA. Analysis of the data was done using the statistical measure to  identify explanatory  variables of EA risk and it  was found  that the respondents were showing variables of the  Exercise Addiction Inventory. 

Keywords: female, amateur runner, exercise addiction, stress,  withdrawal. 



Reasons of early dropouts in psychotherapeutic treatment of behavioural addiction 

Megha Sharma,1 Lini Phillip2 

1PhD Scholar, IGNOU Delhi 

2Clinical Psychologist, NDDTC,  Ghaziabad AIIMS  Delhi 

In the addiction treatment, treatment dropout rates are very high. Dropout is a crucial problem in the addiction treatment; therefore, understanding the reasons underlying this problem will help clinicians in developing new treatment strategies for  treatment maintenance (Deane, F.P.  et al. 2012; McKellar,  J. et al. 2006). The present study aimed to review the literature exploring reasons for  dropouts of  clients diagnosed with behavioural  addictions and  related disorders. The identified  factors include  socio-demographic, clinical  factors, personality  features, co-  morbid conditions  etc. All  of these  factors will  be discussed  in detail  along with  supporting evidence-based  literature in  relation to  behavioural addiction. 

Keywords: Reasons, Early  Dropouts, Behavioural Addictions, psychotherapeutic treatment. 

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Does opioid substitution therapy improve the social functioning of opioid dependent individuals 

Sabaresh1 

1Senior Resident, Department of  Psychiatry, PGIMER, Chandigarh 

Background: Substance use disorder is a long  difficult battle fought against  onself. Among them, opioids are  known for their highly enslaving property. Opioid substitution therapy (OST) has been proved to be an effective treatment for opioid dependence but the long term functioning of the individual and its impact on one’s family needs further evaluation. Aims and objectives: To assess the change in social functioning and family burden in patients on OST. Method: A prospective  observational study  in which patients recently started on  opioid substitution  therapy was  followed up  for 6months. Three assessments were carried out: at the first week of OST, third month and sixth month. The patients and their care-givers were  assessed on the Social Adjustment Scale  (SAS) and Family Burden  Interview Schedule  (FBIS). Results: Initially,  45 patients  were recruited,  out  of which  17 patients  dropped out  within  3 months  and 5  more patients dropped  out before  6 months, the total  dropout rate being 48  % of  recruited participants.  In the  treatment completers, there was  significant differences  in the mean scores  of overall social functioning from  base  line to six months (p<0.001).  Regarding family burden, in the treatment completers the  mean scores of the  all domains showed significant difference (p<0.05)  at 6 months compared  to baseline. Conclusions: Opioid substitution Therapy  not only helps an individual by improving his functioning, but helps the family as a whole. 

Keywords: opioid dependence syndrome, Opioid Substitution Therapy,  social functioning. 



Relevance of the virtue of courage in prevention of addiction during 

adolescence: an integrative review 

Supriya,1 Rajbir Singh2 

1PhD Scholar, SGT University,  Gurugram 

2Professor, Faculty of  Behavioural Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram 

Background: Earlier  development and  dominance  of effective  neural network  over  judgemental network  during adolescence  may be  responsible for  risky actions  during this  period. Neurohormonal  interactions further add to  the emotional-judgemental incongruity. Moreover, high brain plasticity during early adolescence also makes them susceptible to addiction to alcohol and psychoactive substances during this transitional phase of life. Neuronal plasticity is associated with mental disorders  like depression,  anxiety disorders, eating disorders  and addiction.  ‘Have the  COURAGE to say NO to drugs’ is a commonly observed theme in preventive programs of substance use disorders. Aims and objectives: This integrative  review is aimed to explore the nature of the virtue  of courage investigated for addictive behaviour  as well as preventive programs in addiction. Method: Summarising the theoretical and empirical  literature for synthesis of  evidence with reference to  relevance of  courage in  addictive behaviour  and prevention in addiction.  Results  and conclusion: Behavior and emotional  flexibility is  reflected through  resilience. The virtue  of courage  is an important positive personal resource which can  be cultivated  and harvested  to enhance resilience. The  other linked important personal resources  are optimism  and hope. The scope  of interventional  applications for  cultivating and  harvesting courage in prevention  of addiction and mental disorders during adolescence cannot  be ruled  out. 

Keywords: addiction, courage, prevention. 

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Alcohol is more dangerous than cannabis consumption: Perception towards alcohol and cannabis use and abuse among the Indian population 

Aayushi Mittal,1 Harsimarpreet  Kaur,2  Mini Narayan3 

1Psychologist, Centre for Child & Adolescent Wellbeing, New Delhi, India 

2Senior Clinical  Neuropsychologist, Bloomfield Hospital, Dublin,  Ireland 

3PhD Scholar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, India 

Background: Consumption  of substances  is on  the rise  in the  country. Alcohol, followed by cannabis,  is the  most commonly used  substance in India. However,  there are  limited studies  available examining  the perception, attitude and stigma towards both  alcohol and  Cannabis use and abuse.  Aims and objectives: The  present research aimed at understanding  the perceptions  and attitudes  of people  towards alcohol  and cannabis use and  stigma towards  abuse across three  age groups:  adolescence, youth/emerging  adulthood and  early adulthood.  Method: After  obtaining the Institute’s ethical  clearance, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 327  individuals (males = 112,  females =  215) within the age range of 16-40 years. Along with a self-developed socio demographic proforma, the Drug Attitude Scale (DAS) and the Perceived Stigma  of Substance Abuse Scale (PSSAS) was  administered. The responses were collected online using  Google forms  from PAN  India due  to the  COVID-19 pandemic  related restrictions.  Results:  A higher positive attitude  was found  towards alcohol  use in  comparison to  cannabis use.  Higher stigma was found  towards cannabis abuse  in contrast  to alcohol  abuse. The  age groups  differed significantly  based on  their attitude  towards alcohol use as well as on their attitude towards cannabis use. A positive attitude towards both alcohol use and cannabis use was found in adolescence compared to youth/emerging adulthood and early adulthood. Conclusion: This research has implications for  taking accurate  measures to  regulate the  negative perceptions towards alcohol and cannabis  and making inclusive environments. Raising awareness and creating policies are likely to de-stigmatise negative perceptions. Future studies  may aim  at understanding  the impact  of negative perceptions and  treatment-seeking behaviour,  along with  the impact of negative perceptions on  the consumers of the  substances. 

Keywords: substance use, stigma, attitude. 



Health promoting behaviour in adolescents: Prevention in addiction! 

Shweta Sharma1 

1Ph.D Scholar in Applied Psychology, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and 

Studies, Faridabad, India 

Background: Overt  behavioural patterns,  actions, and habits related  to  health enhancement,  health restoration,  and maintenance are referred to as health behaviours. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional and social changes,  including exposure  to abuse  or violence,  can make  adolescents vulnerable  to addiction.  Protecting adolescents  from addiction,  promoting health behaviour and psychological well-being, and ensuring  access to  mental health  care are  critical  for  their health  and well-being. Adolescence is  a  crucial  period  for  developing social  and emotional habits important  for mental well-being, these  include adopting healthy sleep  patterns; exercising regularly; developing coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; and learning to manage emotions. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school and in the wider community are important. The use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs poses a special threat to young people because of the short-term and long-term consequences of substance abuse. It causes  double threat through the mental health consequences of  addiction. Individual  factors, interactive patterns, relationship  factors and  social influences are some  of the factors that influence the likelihood of  engaging in  health- compromising behaviours  during adolescence. Both positive and negative  health behaviours  may be  influenced by  a variety of  factors, such  as awareness,  attitudes, and  behaviors, in  addition to  societal and  legal constraints,  socio economic background. However, lower health literacy is associated with more unhealthy health behaviour, resulting in likelihood of  addiction among adolescents. 

Keywords: health  behaviours, addiction,  adolescence 

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Sleep disturbance and relapse: A systematic review of literature 

Indrani Sarkar,1 Payel Dey Ghosh2 

1Research scholar, Department of Applied Psychology,  Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, 

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, India 

2Assistant Professor, Department  of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social  Sciences, 

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, India 

Background: Sleep  and addiction  are found  to  be interrelated. While  addiction increases  sleep disturbances  like insomnia,  hypersomnia and  apnea, poor  sleep quality  also increases  the risk  of addiction.  Many researchers  have found this bidirectional  relationship but  only a few have  ventured into the prolonged  effects of sleep disturbance due to poor  quality of  life on  the risk of relapse.  Aims and  objectives: This  review aims to  assess such  relationships between sleep disturbance after  abstinence to  help reduce  the risk of relapse. Though sleep disturbances are common for people in recovery, they can continue even after  abstinence, which can increase the risk of relapse. Methodology: This is a systematic review of the literature that included 10 original studies. Unoriginal and non-English studies were excluded. Result and conclusion: Research suggests that sleep has similar reactions in the brain to those that substance use and substance-seeking behavior influence. Existing studies highlight that recently sober individuals, when confronted with stress or other related factors, can experience a lack of sleep, which in turn can decrease the willpower to refrain from substance use. Furthermore,  the review explores the various treatment programmes that incorporate strategies  to counter sleep disturbances,  resulting in  successful relapse prevention treatment  plans. 

Keywords:  sleep disturbance,  relapse, addiction, recovery. 




To evaluate the efficacy of relapse prevention therapy on severity, coping skills, emotional stability and quality of life among patients with alcohol use disorders: A longitudinal study 

Deoshree Akhouri,1 Tabassum  Bashir,2  Hamza3 

1Associate Professor,  Department of Psychiatry, JNMCH, Aligarh Muslim  University, Aligarh,  U.P. 

2PhD scholar (Clinical Psychology),  Department of Psychiatry JNMCH, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh,  U.P. 

3PhD scholar  (Clinical Psychology), Department of Psychiatry, JNMCH, Aligarh Muslim  University, Aligarh, India 

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are a  significant and  growing public health problem in  India. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally and the same is true for our country India. A total of 3.2% of deaths worldwide are caused by alcohol every year. Alcohol use is quite common in India both in rural and urban areas with prevalence rates as per various studies varying from 23% to 74% in males and in females the rate 24% to 48 % in certain sections and communities. Aims and objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Relapse Prevention Therapy on the  parameters of  severity, coping skills, emotional stability and  quality of life among alcohol use patients. Methods: A  longitudinal study  design of total  42 patients of alcohol use were taken as per pre-decided inclusion and  exclusion criteria. The sample was recruited through purposive sampling methods from the Out-patient Department and the In-patient Department at J.N. Medical College and Hospital, AMU, Aligarh. Patients were provided 8 therapeutic  follow-up sessions  from March  2022 to October 2022.  Descriptive data  were collected  by using  semi- structured  socio-demographic and  clinical data  sheet especially  designed for  this study  along with  the Alcohol Use Disorders  Identification Test, Ways  of  Coping  Questionnaire,  WHO Quality  of Life  Scale,  Emotional  Stability Questionnaire, pre and  post intervention. Results: Significant  findings were achieved  on statistical analysis at pre and post intervention which  reflects significant findings with good effect  size after  the intervention of PRT. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Relapse Prevention therapeutic  intervention is  effective in  the management  of alcohol  use patients  in all  parameters. 

Keywords: Alcohol use  disorder, morbidity,  mortality, relapse prevention therapy,  coping skills,  severity, and  life satisfaction. 


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The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in substance use disorder; randomized control trials (Phase 1) 

Deoshree Akhouri,1 Hamza,2 Tabassum  Bashir3 

1Associate  Professor, Department  of Psychiatry, Aligarh Muslim  University, Aligarh,  U.P. 

2PhD  scholar (Clinical Psychology), Department  of Psychiatry, Aligarh Muslim  University, Aligarh,  U.P. 

3PhD  scholar (Clinical Psychology), Department  of Psychiatry, Aligarh Muslim  University, Aligarh,  U.P. 

Background: Substance  use disorders  (SUDs) are  characterized  by recurrent  and  maladaptive use  of drugs  and/or alcohol. 155 to 250 million people, or 3.5% to 5.7% of the world’s population aged 15-64 years use other psychoactive substances such as cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and non-prescribed psychoactive prescription medication. Aims and  objectives: To  investigate whether  a 12-session  intervention consisting of  motivational interviewing  and cognitive  behavioral therapy (CBT) was  more efficacious  than routine  treatment (pharmacological alone) in  reducing substance  use and improving other symptomatology. It also investigated whether the  effect of CBT techniques  would be maintained  over time (3 months). Method: 26 participants with SUDs as per the inclusion  and exclusion  criteria were included in the present study from the OPD and IPDs of the Psychiatry Department of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College &  Hospital, Aligarh.  Participants were randomly allocated to motivational interviewing and CBT or treatment as usual (TAU) and were assessed on multiple outcomes at baseline, at  12th week, and 3 months follow-up. Results and conclusion:  There were significant  improvements over  time in the sample. The motivational  interviewing/CBT intervention was found efficacious  in treating  SUD with good effect size. 

Keywords: substance use disorder, motivational interviewing, Cognitive  Behavioral Therapy,  symptomatology. 



A case report on client diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome 

Shefeena  Jacob1 

Consultant Clinical  Psychologist & Assistant Professor, PP Savani University, Surat, India 

Background: Alcohol addiction is  a complex  and dynamic  process. Prolonged excessive  alcohol consumption causes neuroadaptive changes in the brain’s reward and stress systems. Alcohol dependence has been also linked to numerous social, economic and health problems. Aims and  objectives: The case study  aims to highlight reduction in symptoms of a client diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome by bringing changes in motivation levels and enhance coping skills. Methodology: The client was assessed and diagnosed and a treatment plan was developed. Implemented treatment consisted of  motivational enhancement therapy, components of cognitive behavioural therapy, refusal skills,  relaxation therapy,  anger  management  and  sleep  hygiene. The  Mini  Mental  Status  Examination, Alcohol  Use  Disorders Identification Test, Alcohol Craving Questionnaire, Clinical anger  Scale, Sack’s  Sentence Completion Test and Beck Depression Inventory were used to access the severity of the symptoms. Result and conclusion: The results indicated a significant decline in  the alcohol dependence symptoms  over the course of  the treatment. At the onset of treatment, the client’s AUDIT score was moderate –  severe alcohol use with high scores on compulsivity and expectancy  on the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire. At the conclusion of the treatment, the AUDIT scores decreased to low-risk consumption with  low scores of compulsivity  and expectancy on the Alcohol Craving  Questionnaire. The  client self-reported  an improvement in  aggressive symptoms,  motivation level,  sleep and  enriched coping  skills. Treatment  also includes  a particular emphasis on concerns regarding relapse prevention. 

Keywords: alcohol dependence, Motivation Enhancement Therapy, sleep hygiene, anger management, relapse prevention. 



Psychiatric comorbidities in adolescents and young adults: a literature review 

Nehal Lala1 

1Post graduate scholar, Department of Applied Psychology, Manav Rachna University 

Background: Abuse of licit  and illicit  substances  is quite prevalent among  adolescents and young adults. The most common psychiatric  disorders that  affect these  age groups  include  depression,  anxiety disorders,  attention-deficit 

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hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behaviour disorders and eating disorders. Aims and objectives: The aim of this paper is to  analyse the  pervasiveness of  substance dependence and psychiatric  comorbidities among adolescents and young adults and assess their impact and implications. Method: A thorough literature review was conducted to meet the aim. Results: The findings suggest  that adolescents  and young adults diagnosed  with depression, anxiety disorders,  post- traumatic  stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADHD and eating  disorders show  a high rate of substance abuse. Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults with certain psychiatric disorders demonstrate instances of substance abuse. More research has to be conducted to shed light on the existence of psychiatric comorbidities in this population. 

Keywords: substance use, psychiatric co-morbidities,  adolescents, young  adults. 




Substance use disorder and its relation to attention deficient hyperactivity disorder 

Rachit Singhania,1 Robin Victor,2 Priyaranjan Avinash,3 Rohit Gondwal4 

1Junior  Resident, Department  of Psychiatry, Himalayan Institute  of Medical sciences, 

Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun 

2,3Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Himalayan Institute of Medical  Sciences, 

Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun 

3Medical Officer, State  Mental Health  Institute, Selaqui, Uttarakhand 

Background: ADHD  has a  bidirectional and  complex  relationship with  substance  use disorder. Young adults  with ADHD  have a  higher chance  to be  addicted to  the substances especially with stimulant type  of drugs.  Aims  and objectives: The  current study explores the  relationship  between different substance  use disorders  and ADHD along with a comparison of physical  and psychological  symptoms among  substance users  with ADHD  and without ADHD. Methods: This was  a cross-sectional, descriptive study.  153 patients with substance use disorder (SUD) attending the Psychiatry outpatient department of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, were conveniently sampled over three months. The  ICD-10 criteria  was used  to diagnose  substance use  disorder. ADHD  was evaluated  using Adult ADHD self-rating scale. Maudsley’s Addiction profile was used to find  physical and  psychological symptoms  in the selected participants. Results: Majority of the  individuals  with substance use disorder  were males (98.7%),  aged 25-29 years (45.09%) high school education (36.6%). Most of the subjects  were taking opioid (38.56%), followed by cannabis (27.45%) and alcohol (18.3%). Maximum incidence of ADHD was present in cannabis use (47.61%) followed by tobacco  use (30.88%) and opioid use (30.5%). There was  a statistically  significant positive correlation of ADHD with intake of cannabis (p=0.035) and negative correlation with alcohol (p= 0.032). The mean of both the physical and psychological  symptoms was  found to  be higher  in patients  with substance  use  disorder  with co-morbid ADHD. Conclusion: ADHD  is more prevalent with stim- ulant type of substance  use. SUD patients with ADHD have higher physical symptoms  and psychological symptoms. 

Keywords: substance use disorder, ADHD, stimulants. 




The missing link between opioid use disorder and seizures during opioid withdrawal: a case series from north India 

Dharuvika,1 Priya Ranjan Avinash,2 Robin victor,3 Rohit Gondwal4 

1Junior  Resident, Department of Psychiatry,  Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, 

Swami  Rama Himalayan University 

2Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry,  Himalayan Institute of Medical  Sciences, 

Swami  Rama Himalayan University 

3Assistant Professor, Department  of Psychiatry, Himalayan Institute  of Medical  Sciences, 

Swami  Rama Himalayan University 

4Consultant, State  Mental Health Institute, Selaqui,  Dehradun 

Background: Seizure in the withdrawal phase of opioid use disorder is a rare presentation and has not been discussed in the literature,  seizures during  the withdrawal  stage of  opioid use disorder are  frequently ignored  or mistaken  as 

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independent seizure  disorders or  epilepsy. Aims  and objectives: The aim was to investigate the  etiological aspects  of this occurrence  and  retrospectively  compare it  with available  literature on  a national  and international  platform. Method: Eight  cases of  opioid use  disorder  that reported  to  our emergency/casualty  department with  generalised tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) episodes within 48–72 hours of  cessation/reduction in  amount of opioid usage (smack), in addition  to other  opioid withdrawal symptoms were  documented. After giving initial  management in  emergency, they were shifted to psychiatry ward where the cases were thoroughly investigated, other causes of seizures were ruled out and sample for DOA-6 was  taken. Apart  from morphine, two individuals tested positive for benzodiazepines, one for  barbiturates, and  one for  both in  a urine  sample, but  the patients  denied taking  any other substance other  than smack. This  suggests that  benzodiazepines/barbiturates may  have been  added to  smack preparation  and  on  stopping smack,  the patient had benzodiazepine/barbiturate  withdrawal resulting in seizure. Another important cause of  seizure resulting  from aluminium  toxicity was  also ruled out. Finally,  patient management  was done  on buprenorphine  and nalaxone in adequate doses. A diagnosis of seizure during opioid withdrawal was  made for these cases. Results  and conclusion: A meticulous history  taken with  a proper time-line for  temporality is warranted  in every  case of  seizure disorder with opioid use. The medical history along with detailed  investigations including radiological, biochemical  as well  as urine drug screening  is essential to explore the cause of the  seizure. Once the diagnosis of opioid  withdrawal seizure  is established appropriate treatment  should be  started. 

Keywords: case-series,  opioid use disorder, opioid  withdrawal seizure. 




Prevalence of malnutrition factors in patients undergoing alcohol treatment 

Kawita Patil Andhare,1 Sandip Tambare2 

1Counselor, Ayush Institute for Addiction Management, Solapur 

2CEO, Ayush Institute for Addiction Management, Solapur 

Background: Alcoholism  is a  complex problem  that  affects nearly  an estimated  237  million men  and 46  million women globally.  Heavy alcohol use has adverse effects on nutrition both because it displaces other nutritious foods in the diet.  Chronic use  impairs absorption  and metabolism  of many  nutrients. Over many years of drinking,  alcoholics develop poor eating habits and poor nutrition.  Aims and objectives: This  study aimed to identify the prevalence of malnutrition factors  using a  spread of  measurements in patients undergoing alcohol treatment.  Methods:  Nutritional status of thirty patients  admitted to Ayush Institute for Addiction  Management was assessed by  the Subjective Global Assessment. The Appetite  Questionnaire  (Sim-  plified  Nutritional Appetite  Questionnaire)  and  Diet-qu ality Questionnaire (Australian Recommended Food Score) was used. Results: The prevalence of mild/moderate malnutrition was 24% according to the Subjective Global Assessment. Weight and body mass index were associated with nutritional status. Appetite  and diet  quality were  poor overall,  with  88%  of all  participants requiring  advice and  guidance. Conclusion: The prevalence of  malnutrition in  this patient  population is likely  to underestimate the prevalence  of nutritional risk  factors under  nutrition. Multiple  tools assessing nutritional status, appetite, diet  quality, results  have different advantages and can further identify the specific needs and appropriateness of nutritional education in patients during treatment for alcohol use. 

Keywords: malnutrition, substance  use, alcohol dependence. 




The impact of negative cognition in depression among alcohol dependence syndrome patients of Sikkim: moderating role of resilience 

Ankita Paul,1 Satyananda Panda2 

1Research Scholar,  Department of  Psychology, Sikkim University 

2Professor, Department of Psychology, Sikkim  University 

Background: The National Family  Health Survey-4  of  Sikkim (2015-16) has  found highest  alcohol consumption in the age group between 15–49 years with male percentage being 51.2% and female percentage being 23%. Past researchers 


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have found  negative implicit  cognitions to  be related  to  depression.  Research on  adult children  of alcoholics  has revealed  higher resilience  abilities despite  having stressful family environment.  Aims  and Objectives:  The  primary aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between Negative Cognition and Depression among Alcohol Dependence Syndrome patients of Sikkim while also examining Resilience as a moderator. Method: This was a cross- sectional study  conducted at various hospitals and rehabilitation centers  at Sikkim and  used the convenience sampling technique. The sample comprised 40 male and 40 female participants in the age range 18 to 50 years diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome as per the ICD-11 criteria. The Automatic Thought  Questionnaire, Beck  Depression Inventory-II and  Resilience Scale  was used for the  study. The data was  analysed using  SPSS Ver.  23 and  PROCESS Macro Ver. 4.2. Results: There were significant differences between male and female patients of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome on  the Clinical  variables of  Negative Cognition  (p<0.01), depression  (p<0.01)  and resilience  (p<0.05). Resilience moderated  the relationship  between Negative  Cognition and  Depression among  female patients  (-.004, p<0.05)  of Alcohol  Dependence Syndrome  but this  relationship was  not evident  among the  male patients  (-.001, p>0.05). Conclusion:  Gender has an  important role  in under-  standing Alcohol  Dependence Syndrome.  Resilience plays  an important role as a protective  factor in  females having Alcohol Dependence Syndrome in Sikkim. A similar finding was not evident among males having Alcohol Dependence Syndrome giving scope for future research on other protective factors  that could be at play. 

Keywords: negative  cognition, depression, resilience, moderator, Alcohol Dependence Syn- drome. 



A systematic review on association between childhood ADHD and substance use disorder in adulthood 

Trusha Shanbhag1 

1Research Scholar at Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi 

Background: Current  clinical practice  increasingly  presents adolescents  and  adults  with  substance  use  disorder (SUD).Childhood ADHD  is considered  a primary  factor for  the early  emergence of  substance use  in adults  with substance use disorder. Aims and Objectives: The review aims to understand the prevalence of  childhood ADHD  in adults with substance use disorder and the age of onset of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use in adults with SUD with and without childhood ADHD. Methods: A  systematic search of databases (PubMed,  Medline,  Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase) was conducted to find observational studies  that measured  the prevalence rates of childhood ADHD and the age of onset of SUD. Data extrac- tion was performed by two independent authors (TS and SR). The review considered observational and intervention studies. Primary inclusion criteria were – a) participants with ADHD, b) Adults with SUD. Quality ratings for articles were done using a checklist based on ROBINS- 1 and the Observation study quality evaluation scale. Results: Results  indicated that  the prevalence rate for childhood ADHD  in adults with substance use disorder was 13.92 (<0.0001). For the age of onset, the test of heterogeneity was significant (p<0.00001, I2=100%). Therefore, a random effects model was used to calculate the age of onset, which was 3.11 (95% Cl 0.85,5.44) years earlier for the childhood ADHD group compared to the non-ADHD group. Adolescent males were more likely to have an  earlier onset  and escalate  to dependence  as compared  to females.  Conclusion:  Adults  with substance  use disorder show a high prevalence of childhood ADHD. Childhood ADHD can accelerate the pathway from early substance use through abuse and  dependence. 



Young men and women frequently receive gender cues from peers, parents and media that remind young women to be feminine and men to be masculine 

Muskan Shah 

Student 

Background: Young men and women frequently receive gender cues from peers, parents and media that remind young women to be feminine and men to be masculine. It is possible that someone who has internalized their gender stereotypes would be more likely to conform to gender stereotypical roles. Aims and objectives: The present study focuses on the facets of  gender stereotypes  in determining  career aspirations  among adolescents.  Method:  The  partic- ipants  were 

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interviewed, the content will be analysed using thematic analysis in order to find overarching themes from the experiences of people within the Indian context. Significant statements made by  interviewees will be clustered together to identify themes. Results and conclusion:  The  result of  this study  could  tell us if  the internalization  of gender  stereotypes could act as a  potential barrier to adolescents’ career aspirations  and their perception of what males  and females can or cannot do in society. The analysis  of the  present study is still ongoing. 

Keywords: gender stereotypes,  career aspirations,  adolescents. 



Cognitive behaviour therapy and interpersonal therapy for patients with postpartum depression: a case study 

JyotiSingh,1 Roopa Mathur,2 Monica Sharma3 

1PhD scholar, IIS (deemed to be) University, Jaipur 

2Professor IIS (deemed to be) University, Jaipur 

3Associate Professor and Head,  Department of  Clinical Psychology 

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD)  is a  common  and debilitating  condition that affects  many women after childbirth. Despite  its prevalence,  PPD often  goes unrecognized  and untreated, leading to  negative consequences  for both  the  mother  and her  family. Cognitive  Behavioural Therapy  (CBT) and  Interpersonal Therapy  (IPT)  are  two evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches that have been shown to be effective in treating PPD. Aims and objectives: This study explores the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) in the treatment of Postpartum Depression (PPD) in a single patient. Method: The patient was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Attribution Style  Ques- tionnaire,  Character Strength  Inventory, and  the Emotion  of Self  Scale. Results: Both  CBT and  IPT were  effective in reducing symptoms  of  PPD in  the patient. Additionally, the  patient demonstrated improvement  in attribution  style, character  strengths, and  emotional regulation  after treatment. The findings suggest  that CBT  and IPT  may be  useful interventions  for indi- viduals struggling with PPD.  Conclusion: Further research  is needed  to fully  understand the mechanisms of  these treatments and their effectiveness in larger populations. 

Keywords: postpartum, cognitive  behaviour therapy, interpersonal therapy, depression. 



Hedonistic wellbeing, self-esteem, and life satisfaction among young adults 

Muskan Yadav,1 Swati Pathak2 

1Department of Psychology, Christ (Deemed to be) University, Delhi NCR 

2Assistant Professor, Christ (Deemed to be) University,  Delhi NCR 

Background and aims: Hedonistic Wellbeing is an approach where individuals focus on pleasure attainment and pain avoidance. This study has been conducted to find out the effect of hedonistic wellbeing on self-esteem and life satisfaction. Method: The sample for this study were young adults that are participants in the age group of 18-25 years. This is a cross sectional study  including 218  young adults recruited through convenience sampling. The questionnaires  used are: Ryff’s Psychological Well Being, The Satisfaction with Life  Scale and  Rosenberg’s Self  Esteem Scale.  Results and conclusion: Pearson’s Moment Correlation suggested a sig- nificant correlation  (at 0.05 and 0.01 level) of 0.359 between  hedonistic well-being,  life satis- faction and  self-esteem. There was significant correlation (0.379) between life satisfaction  and self-esteem. The results  of the  study indicate that young adults are  able to  retain hedonistic well- being, which  has a  direct impact on their self-esteem and  results in better life  satisfaction. 

Keywords: hedonistic, well-being,  self-esteem, life  satisfaction. 



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Exploring Sallekhana: a qualitative study to understand the beliefs and motivations of the practitioners 

Sakshi Jain 

MSc Counselling Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Delhi NCR 

Background: Sallekhana  is a  sort of  death in which  a person voluntarily embraces  death  at the end of  his life  by observing the slow withdrawal of food and drink and spends his final hours in contemplation, putting away all worldly attachments, grief,  and fear. Aims and objectives: The purpose of the  study is to explore  the practice of Sallekhana. To find out what were the  thoughts and beliefs that motivate people to practice Sallekhana and the impact of practice on the  perception and  view about death. Method:  Around  8 participants who are  Jain monks and are intending to engage in the practice were selected for the same. Purposive and snowball sampling was used. The data was collected with the help of a self-built  and approved  semi- structured  interview schedule.  Results  and conclusion:  The  result indicated that the  practitioners must believe that the only way to liberate oneself from the cycle of birth and rebirth is by practicing Sallekhana. They aim at reducing the attachment of the body in  order to strengthen the soul. It must be done under  the guidance  of a  monk. It  was found  that  the  practitioners generally  experience a  feeling of  self- transcendence. 

Keywords: Sallekhana, motivations, beliefs,  self-transcendence. 



A bibliometric analysis of suicidology in India 

Sayed Ebrahim Mubasheer SM,1 Samina Bano2 

1Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia 

2Professor, Department  of Psychology,  Jamia Millia Islamia, New  Delhi 

Background: According to the World Health Organization, around 8 lakh people die by suicide every year around the world and approximately 17 percent of these  are residents  of India. According to  the National Crime Record Bureau, 1,64,033  people have  died by suicide in India during  the year  2021. Drug abuse and alcohol addiction  is reported  to have accounted for 6.4% of suicides in this year. Despite  this alarming rate of suicide in  India, there  is a significant lack of  research on suicides in  India. Aims  and objectives:  This  paper is  an attempt to  provide an overview of  the current state of suicidology in India by analyzing and synthesizing Indian research studies on suicide using bibliometric analysis. Method: Relevant research papers  were extracted from the Scopus  database. A search string  was formed  by pooling various  keywords related to suicide, and the  search was limited to  its presence  in title,  abstract, and  keyword section. A total of 440 Indian studies were extracted for the further analysis using Scopus, Microsoft Excel, Vosviewer and Data Wrapper. Results and conclusion: The bibliometric analysis has shed light to the publication trend, thematic clusters and research collaborations in the focus area of this study. Asian Journal of Psychiatry (n=148), Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine (n=93)and Journal  of Affective  Disorders (11)  were found to be most productive  journals. Vikas Menon  (n=31), Sujit K Kar (n=18) and Sandeep Grover (n=15) contributed most to the research on suicide  in India. The bibliometric  analysis has  also revealed  the pres- ence of 5 thematic clusters and demonstrated the research collaborations among  researchers from  different countries in studying suicides in India. 

Keywords: suicide, India, drug addiction, bibliometric analysis. 



Misophonia and social functioning : a qualitative study 

Vanshika Srivastava 

Post graduate  scholar, 

Background: Misophonia, a phenomenon first described  in audiology literature, is characterized  by intense emotional reactions (e.g., anger, rage, anxiety, disgust) in response to highly specific sounds, particularly sounds of human origin 

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such as oral or  nasal noises made by other people (e.g., chewing,  sniffing, slurping, lip smacking). Misophonia is not listed in any of the contemporary psychiatric classification systems. Aims and objectives: The purpose of this research is to study the effects that misophonia has on social functioning. Method: Clinical and research literature on misophonia was examined and  considered in the context of the  broader literature  on what  constitutes a mental disorder.  Results and conclusion:  The available  evidence suggests  that there  is an  impact of  misophonia  on  social functioning  on individuals. It also discusses the issues that arises in an individual’s social life due to misophonia such as withdrawing from social situations,  strained relationships and partial support by family and friends. 

Keywords: misophonia, social functioning, social  withdrawal, strained  relationships. 



Managing relapse in benzodiazepine dependence precipitated by parental loss and guilt: A case report 

Soumya Srivastava1  Geeta Singh2 

1Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology, Amity Institute of Behavioural  and Allied Sciences, 

Amity University, Lucknow 

2Assistant Professor, Amity University,  Lucknow 

Background: The loss  of a parent is a traumatizing  life experience and is often linked to feelings of  guilt. Normative sadness  and suffering  during the grieving process can cause  people to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, leading to substance abuse. The article presents  a case  report demonstrating  the chronic  alprazolam abuse  by a  22-year-old male who was previously diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder presenting with withdrawal symptoms when he decreased the dose from 20 mg to 7.5 mg. He was admitted to the inpatient unit for 40 days at the de-addiction center for treatment. Aims  and objectives: The case description of parental  loss and  guilt is discussed in the context of benzodiazepine dependence that triggers associated relapse in an attempt to understand the mechanism of substance use further. Method: The  case was conceptualized using the multimodal approach. A total of 10  sessions of  eclectic psychotherapy including psycho education, a focus on the transtheoretical model of change and the cognitive approach for  trauma-related guilt  were delivered.  Pre and  post-assessments were  conducted on WHO-Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement  Screening Test,  Hamilton’s Depression  Rating Scale  and Hamilton’s Anxiety Rating  Scale. Other assessments included Millon Clinical Multiaxial  Inventory – IV, Sack’s Sentence Completion Test  and Thematic Apperception Test.  Result: The  findings revealed  a relationship  between  the grief  experienced, trauma-related  guilt, use  of prescription  medication and  understanding the  pattern of  drug abuse. There was  a reduction  in cravings  and depressive symptoms with improved socio-adaptive functioning. Conclusion: Anenhanced eclectic approach may be a viable intervention for benzodiazepine  use disorders that should  be further evaluated. 

Keywords: alprazolam,  benzodiazepine, depression,  guilt, parental  loss. 



Cognitive flexibility and alexithymia in patients with alcohol use disorder: a correlational study 

Shreya Jha1 and Satyam2 

1Mphil Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, ABVIMS and 

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, NewDelhi 

2Assistant  Professor, Department of Clinical  Psychology, ABVIMS and 

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi 

Background: Neurocognitive  deficit and  alexithymia are  considered an  important  risk factors  in the  development, maintenance  and recovery  from Alcohol  Use Disorder  (AUD). Previous  studies on  biological  correlates  indicate individuals who  drink excessively  may have  reduced cognitive  resources  available  to regulate  their emotions  and behaviour  simultaneously. Under- standing the  relation between  cognitive flexibility  and alexithymia  could help  in 


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formulating  and modifying the therapeutic interventions which  could further  contribute in  better treatment outcome and lowering the rate of relapse in patients with AUD. Aims and objectives: The study aims at assessing the correlation between cognitive flexibility and alexithymia in patients with alcohol use disorder. Method: The study was conducted on 50 participants diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder in Delhi/NCR. They were assessed on the domains of Wisconsin Card  Sorting Test(WCST)  and Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire(PAQ).  Results: The  results  of the  present  study indicated significant level (P  = 0.05) of correlation  between responses on WCST  with Positive-Difficulty  Identifying Feelings (r = 0.290), Positive-Difficulty Describing  Feeling (r  = 0.294)  and General identifying feelings  (r =  0.205) sub-domain of PAQ indicating that deficits in cognitive flexibility may also be related to impact in presence of alexithymia in patients  with Alcohol Use Disorder.  Conclusion:  There was a  significant correlation between cognitive flexibility and alexithymia. This indicates that a lack of cognitive resources may lead to proneness to misidentification of feelings especially positive feelings,  leading to  experiences of  more negative  emotions. 

Keywords: alcohol use disorder, cognitive flexibility,  alexithymia. 



Substance use disorder in consultation-liaison psychiatry services 

1Anupama Arora,2  Ravi Sharma,3  Harshima  Sawlani 

1Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Dr. YSPGMC, Nahan 

2Assistant Professor, Department of  Psychiatry, IGMC,  Shimla 

3Harshima Sawlani, Consultant Epidemiologist, IDSP, NCDC 

Background: Consultation–liaison  psychiatry (CLP)  is  a relatively  young and upcoming sub-specialty of psychiatry and Substance Use  Disorder (SUD)  has become  a leading  clinical focus  for CLP. The presence  of SUDs  amongst patients  with other  physical and  psychiatric disorders  has important  implications  in  treatment and  rehabilitation. Aims and Objectives: To see the  spectrum of substance use  disorder  in in-patients referrals and  its association  with other psychiatric  illnesses. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study  was conducted over a period of one year and a total of 342 inpatient referrals of substance use disorder were assessed. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire which contained socio demographic profile, clinical presentation.  Final diagnosis  was made  according to  the ICD-10 Classification of  Mental and  Behavioural Disorders.  Result:  Amongst 342 in patients with  substance use  referred for consultation, 41.52%  (n=142) had  both alcohol and tobacco dependence, 27.49%  (n=94) had  only tobacco dependence, 21.05% (n= 72) had only alcohol dependence while 3.22% (n= 11) had only opioid dependence. SUD was more common in males (86.84%, n=297) belonging to 21-60 years of age (68.42%, n= 234). Majority of the cases (78.36%, n=268) were referred from the department of Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine. Delirium was diagnosed in 19.59% (n=67),  Intentional self-harm  (ISH) in 13.74% (n=47)  while depression  and anxiety  were diagnosed  in 9.36%(n=32) each. About one-fourth (25.73%, n=88) had comorbid involvement of Gastrointestinal system followed by respiratory system in 17.25% (n=59). The association between ISH and alcohol dependence was significant (p=0.01, Odds Ratio  = 5.31).The odds of  alcohol dependence  were 6.03 times in  married people and this  finding was highly significant (p<0.001).  Conclusion: The present study  suggests  that alcohol and tobacco  dependence  are more com- mon in SUD and  significant association is present between alcohol dependence and  ISH. 




Demographic, psychosocial and clinical factors associated with nomophobia: a scoping review 

Akanksha Jayant Rajguru,1 Yatan Pal Singh Balhara,2 Siddharth Sarkar,3 

Ashwani Kumar Mishra,4 Rachna Bhargava5 

1Ph.D. Scholar, AIIMS, New Delhi 

2Professor of Psychiatry, NDDTC  and Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS 

3Additional Professor of Psychiatry, NDDTC and Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS 

4Professor of  Biostatistics, NDDTC and Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS 

5Professor of Clinical  Psychology, NDDTC and Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS 

Background: Smart  phones have  become  critical to  communication, connectedness,  safety,  security, comfort  and convenience. This results in compulsive and inevitable smart phone use to a point of extreme/excessive usage, dependence 

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and behavioral addiction. Hence, nomophobia or no-mobile-phone phobia, defined as the fear of being unable to use or being unreachable  via one’s  mobile phone  has become a pervasive  concern. Nomophobia has varied  physiological, psycho-social and  clinical implications  in an  individual’s life.  Aims and  objectives: This  study aims  to  delineate demographic, psychosocial  and clinical  factors associated  with nomophobia. Method: Since,  nomophobia is  currently in an exploratory  phase, a scoping review  was conducted  to systematically  map the  relevant evidence  and body  of literature  in an  attempt to  identify associated  factors, correlates  and/or  predictors  of  nomophobia.  Results  and conclusion: The  findings revealed  demographic variables  such as  age,  sex, educational  levels, parental employment status and smartphone use related variables such as duration of use, duration of ownership and frequency of checking smartphone impacts  prevalence and/or  severity  of  nomophobia. Psychosocial  variables such  as attachment  styles, personality traits, loneliness,  self-regulation, self-esteem,  emotional regulation,  locus of  control and  fear of missing out have  been associated with nomophobia.  Furthermore, smartphone addiction, anxiety,  social anxiety,  depression, social phobia, stress, obsession and compulsions and paranoid ideations are some clinical variables that have a significant associative or  predictive relationship  with  nomophobia.  Delineating these  factors will  ensure superior  diagnostic accuracy and precision,  successful delivery  of targeted  interventions, alleviation  of potentially detrimental effects and prevent nomophobia from becoming a grave public health concern given the pervasiveness and inevitability of smartphone use in the current socio-cultural  milieu. 

Keywords: Nomophobia, demographic,  psychosocial, clinical factors, scoping review. 




Description of nomophobia among college students: An interpretative phenomenological analysis 

Ayushi Bharti,1 Rajeev Ranjan,2 Pankaj Kumar,3 Meha  Jain,4 Shamshad Ahmad,5 Yatan Pal Singh Balhara,6 Siddharth Sarkar,7 Biswa Ranjan Mishra8 

1Project Technical Officer, Department of  Psychiatry, AIIMS Patna 

2Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, Patna 

3Additional Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, Patna 

4Child Psychologist, Department of  Pediatrics, AIIMS,  Patna 

5Associate Professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Patna 

6Professor, Department of Psychiatry, (NDDTC) AIIMS, New  Delhi 

7Additional Professor,  Department of Psychiatry, (NDDTC) AIIMS,  New Delhi 

8Additional Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar 

Background: Nomophobia is a situational phobia evoked  by unavailability of smart  phone, the thought of not having it, not being able to use it and losing it. Currently, instruments for assessment of nomophobia have limited applicability in the  Indian setting.  Aims and  objectives: This  study  aimed  to depict  and  understand the  lived experiences  of students with  nomophobia. Methods:  This  interpretative phenomenological analysis research design was carried  out at AIIMS  Patna, AIIMS  New  Delhi  (NDDTC) and AIIMS  Bhubaneswaron  17 students  from  different  academic backgrounds. An in-depth interview guide was prepared, students were selected based on a cut-off score more than 90, taking the scale from moderate to severe, i.e; 70-90  (NMP-Q-Nomophobia Questionnaire). The selected students with Nomophobia characteristics were called for in-depth  interview. The  data recorded  data in audio and video forma was transcribed and translated  from Hindi  to English language.Themes were  extracted through NVivosoftware and coded by the team themselves. Results: Six  superordinate themes were  identified. Digital  obsession: it  is the excessive use of smartphone. The students encounter separation anxiety if away from it. Digital Compulsion: their resistible behaviour shown by the students to use smartphone despite knowing its harmful consequences. Approval motivation: it represents seeking emotional validation or social acceptance  on the social  media by the youth.  Digital Intensement: It highlights the importance of smartphone  placed in their life.  Digital Well-Being: the benefits of smartphone  use was  extracted through various themes. Insight:  this  theme denotes  awareness, acceptance  and  attribution of the smartphone  usage and its negative impacts. Conclusion: The lived experiences of the students had explicitly shown a strong  inclination towards the  smartphone and  for some  of its imperative utilities  when away  from it. The themes of this study will  be utilised to build a validating  questionnaire to assess the  severity of nomophobia. 

Keywords: nomophobia, smartphone, lived experiences, in-depth interview, interpretative phenomenological analysis. 

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Management of low motivation and feasibility issues of the patients with substance use disorder 

Naseem Ahmad,1  Harpreet Batia2 

1Research Scholar, University of Delhi,  Delhi 

2Associate  Prof. Keshav  Mahavidyalaya, University  of Delhi, Delhi 

Background: Substance  use disorders  is a  complex brain  disease,  which is  considered as  significant risk  factors contributing to premature deaths  (Patel et al., 2016).  It is  reported that more than  87% people  with substance use disorders do not receive any treatment (Nagendra 2019), despite of availability of number of evidence based and cost effective treatments. Previous  researches indicate  that Participation in treatment  has generally  been associated  with positive outcomes  however patients  with SUD do not  enter or  engage into  the treatment.  Researches indicate  that Personality characteristics such as motivation level and feasibility issues such as time, cost, and transportation problems may all serve as barriers to successful linkage with treatment (Bohart et al.,  2012, Hawton, 2015, Mohr et al. 2010). Aim &  Objective: The  aim of  this research  paper  was to  develop a  barrier  management module  to manage  low motivation  and feasibility  issues of the patients  with substance  use disorder.  Method: For this purpose a total of 40 subjects  with SUD  will be selected randomly and will be divided into two groups. Barrier  to Psychological Services Scale  to assess  motivation level, Alcohol Severity  Scale to  see the  treatment outcome and Psycho-social  treatment Compliance  Scale Will  be used  as pre  and post  assessment measures.  Result: The  result of  the  present study  is awaited. Con- clusion: It is assumed that treatment  group will have better outcome measure than  the control  group. The present research could be implemented to manage the barriers for seeking psychological services for patients with substance use  disorder. 

Keywords: Barriers,  Motivation level, Compliance, feasibility  issues. 



A study on internet gaming addiction and its association with psychological and behavioural problems among youth: A review 

Yukti,1 Akshita Agrawal2 

1Ph.D. (Clinical  Psychology) Scholar, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University,  Gurugram, India 

2Ph.D. (Clinical  Psychology) Scholar, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University,  Gurugram, India 

Introduction:  Online games  are characterized  by real-time  interaction and  a lack  of boundaries. Online gaming  is prevalent  among youth,  specifically among  young adults; it is  one of  the topmost  activities they  engage in.  Many individuals  are playing  online internet-based  games without  any severe  effect on  their being,  but in  some way  or another several players appear to have severe mental, behavioral and psychological problems. Hence, thereafter American psychiatric association presented the “Internet gaming disorder” in the newest publication of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders in sec 3 for further research. Objectives The present study is aimed to study the psychological and behavioral impact of online gaming on youth. Methodology: An integrated literature review method will be used. Discussion: There are many  people playing  the internet  or  computer-generated games without any thought- ful effect on their living, but according to some research, some players appear to have serious mental, behavioral and psychological problems, therefore,  this study has attempted  to study  the psychological  and behavioral  impact of  online gaming on youth. Conclusion: There has been too little  public action and  debate regarding  the best measure to reduce  exposure to  online gaming  in youth. Awareness regarding  the overuse or misuse of resources available for  online gaming  and hence limiting the overuse for a better future should be created. 

Keywords: Online Gaming, Internet gaming addiction, psychological and behavioral problems. 

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A comparative exploration of the impact of group therapy in patients with substance abuse (edited title) 

Nishtha Kumar,1 Jyoti Mishra Pandey,2 B.S. Chavan,3 Ajeet Sidana,4 Subash Das5 

1Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Holy Family  Hospital New  Delhi 

2Clinical psychologist, Department  of Psychiatry, Medical College & Hospital,  Chandigarh 

3Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh 

4Associate Professor, Department of  Psychiatry, Government  Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh 

5Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College  & Hospital, Chandigarh 

Background: Clients’ motivation to change in substance use has often been the focus of clinical interest and frustration. Motivation has  been described  as a  prerequisite for  treatment, without  which the clinician can  do little. Treatment approaches  designed to  enhance patients’  intrinsic motivation  include brief  intervention, motivational  interviewing, and motivational  enhancement therapy  (MET). Motivation was often  viewed as  the client’s  responsibility, not  the clinician’s. This research represents a paradigm shift  in understanding  client’s motivation and the  clinician’s role in shaping, promoting and maintaining positive behavioral change. Aims and objectives: Evaluate the impact and assess the difference of group therapy in patients with substance abuse for motivation and relapse prevention who were given therapeutic interven-  tion, and  control group  who were  only on  pharmacological treatment  and were not given  any therapeutic intervention. Method: Participants (N=40) will be taken in the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria; 20 patients from inpatient unit and 20 patients from outpatient unit  from Department of Psychiatry, GMCH, Chandigarh. Socio-Demographic data sheet, Stages of  Change Readiness  and Treatment  Eagerness Scale  (Socrates) (Miller et al., 1990)  will be used for  the assessment. The experimental  group will be exposed  to structured  therapy. Appropriate statistics will be applied. Results and conclusion: The results will be presented at the time of conference. 

Keywords: motivation,  change, substance abuse. 



Temperament and personality as risk factors for substance use disorders and addiction 

Nitin Kumar Kishor Alandkar,1 Sandip Tambare2 

1Senior  Clinical &  Rehabilitation Psychologist, Ayush Institute for Addiction Management, 

Solapur, Maharashtra 

2CEO, Ayush Institute for Addiction Management, Solapur, Maharashtra 

Background: Temperament  and  personality  as risk  factors for  substance  use disorder  and addiction.  Aims  and objectives: Understanding  drug addiction  from a relationship between measures  of impulsivity  and related constructs in childhood and development of later substance use disorders in adulthood. Method: Certain personality characteristics may influence an individual’s decision  to use  drugs as well as their liability  to develop problematic use  such as mood disorder, narcissistic  personality disorder,  passive aggressive  personality disorder,  dependent personality  disorders, negative  affectivity/neuroticism and  anti social  personality disorder.  Results: Difficulty  with affect  regulation  and less tolerance to stressful life events is a risk for substance use. Conclusion: There is growing evidence to suggest that adolescent substance  use disorder  may not  only result  in disinhibited behavior or impulsivity but  may reflect  Pre- Frontal Cortical function in both children and adults. This  polymorphism is less common in drug addicted populations there  by potentially  increasing vulnerability  to Pre-frontally mediated cognitive deficits with  chronic drug  use. 

Keywords: temperament, personality, risk factors, substance  use. 

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Early maladaptive schemas and social cognition in individuals with substance dependence and healthy controls: A comparative cross-sectional study 

Sajna Sajan,1 Geeta Singh2 

1M.Phil Clinical Psychology Trainee, Department  of Clinical  psychology, 

Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Lucknow 

2Assistant Professor,  Department of  Clinical psychology, Amity Institute of Behavioural and 

Allied Sciences, Amity University, Lucknow 

Background: A sizable number  of adults  worldwide including  India are dependent  on different kinds of  substances and require  immediate intervention.  Cognitive processes including early  maladaptive schemas  and social cognitions plays  a potential  vulnerability factor in the  development of  substance abuse.  Review of Literature strongly supports the  existence of  early maladaptive  schemas and socio cognitive deficits in  individuals with  substance use disorder. However, no studies are conducted in the Indian context to  explore the mechanism of  interconnection between early maladaptive schemas and social cognition in substance dependence. Aims and objectives: The study aimed to examine early  maladaptive schemas  and  social  cognition in  individuals with  substance  dependence  compared  to  healthy populations. Method:  For  the current comparative cross-sectional  study,  30 participants with substance dependence and  30 non-clinical sample (matched on age and gender) between the  age range of 20 to 50 years were purposively sampled  from the inpatient and  outpatient department of various  hospital and  deaddiction centers  in  Lucknow and from the  community setup respectively from  January 2023  to February  2023. Individuals diagnosed with any of  the Substance dependence  as per  the diagnosis criteria ICD-10  (WHO, 1993) and seeking  treatment for the  same  were recruited in  the substance  dependence group.  Non- clinical  samples were  screened using  12-item  General  Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Outcome measures were measured  in both the groups using 90 item Young Schema Questionnaire-  Short Form  (YSQ-3SF) and  Social Cognition and  Screening Questionnaire  (SCSQ). Descriptive  and inferential  statistics will  be used  to compare  the baseline data. Group difference will be  calculated using  Multivariate Analysis  of Variance  (MANOVA) with baseline covariate adjustment  and Bonferroni correction. Results  and conclusion: The  findings will  be shared  at the time  of presentation. 

Keywords: substance dependence,  early maladaptive schemas, social  cognition 



A case study on multiple substance use associated with conduct behavior Tanveera Khatun  Pathan 

Counselor and Assistant Professor, P.P. Savani School of Liberal Arts and Management, P.P. 

Savani University,  Surat 

Background: Substance use is found  to be very common problem among today’s adolescents and early  adults. Many of the cases of multiple substance abuse within the teenage  population have been identified.  Aims and  objectives: The aim  of this  study was  to identify  the causative  factors behind the multiple  substance abuse  by using  in-depth analysis of the case and identifying treatment measures most suitable. Method: A case-study method was used for the in- depth interview,  motivational interviewing  along with  techniques of  cognitive behavioral  therapy. An 18-year-old male teenager was referred by  the class coordinator for the management  of conduct  behavior. There  were issues of childhood behavioral problems (as referred by  par- ents)  including superiority complex, arrogant  attitude along  with argumentative behavior with parents and faculty members. There was a history of early sexual engagement and multiple sexual partners, he was found to use multiple substances. Results and conclusion: In the therapeutic management the motivational interviewing  and cognitive  behavioral therapeutic  techniques has  been used.  Gradual improvement  has been  noted in  the behavioral  symptoms and  reduction in  smoking and  alcohol use  has been  identified. The  other substances were rarely used by teenager  and he was not  addicted to  them. 

Keywords: case study, conduct issues,  polysubstance disorder,  therapy. 

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Addiction to video games and attachment styles in young individuals: A systematic literature review 

Monica Thongam Nakra,1 Azmat Jahan2 

1Researcher,  Manav Rachna International Institute  of research and studies University 

2Asst Prof.,  Manav Rachna  International Institute of research  and studies University 

The use of the Internet, video games, and gambling are common examples of regular activities that have the potential to develop  into behavioral addictions. There  is mounting  evidence that  non-drug addictions are coping  mechanisms and  that attachment  styles, particularly  in young  individuals, are  likely to be important  factors in  the emergence of such addictions. In order to better  understand the relationship between attachment, coping, and  behavioural addictions such as video game  addiction. The  current study set out to understand  the association between videogame  addiction and attachment styles; and also to examine the mediating/moderating role that coping plays in the relationship between attachment and these behavioural addictions. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar searches revealed a total  of 50 works that  were published between 2000  and 2022  that satisfied the inclusion criteria of this research. With the exception of self-criticism and emotional  avoidance, it  was discovered that the  majority of  coping mechanisms were connected to  attachment types. Problem avoiding  behaviour in  particular was strongly linked with all  behavioural addictions. Also, there  was a  strong relationship between self-blame and problem-solving,  Internet addiction, and problematic  video game use. Lastly,  it was discovered that  coping was  a mediator  and moderator  be- tween attachment,  problematic Internet  use, and  video game  addiction. 

Keywords: Addiction,  attachment styles, videogame, behavioral,  individuals. 



“The internet plays us so easily” — A qualitative exploration of understanding the consequences of internet addiction among the digitally native generation 

Karishma Godara,1 Sanjeev P. Sahni,2 Mohita Junnarkar2 

1Research Officer National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre & Department of Psychiatry, 

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India 

2Professor Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P. Jindal Global University,  India 

Background: Studies  have identified high rates and  severe consequences of Internet Addiction (IA). Yet, there is  a lacuna as to how the users themselves understand these consequences. Methods: Three focus groups based on their IA risk (as per Young’s Internet Addiction Test) comprising 25 (14  females, Mage=  18.52 ± 0.75) university-going were recruited. The Transcripts were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Results: Most participants equated ‘internet addiction’ to ‘obsession’ and showed considerable insight regarding their own IA and dysfunctional patterns. Five super-ordinated themes comprising 12 sub-themes  emerged focusing on the  consequent risks  of IA:  (i) health-related consequences (mental health, physical health, and vicious circle of poor lifestyle), (ii) learning outcomes (over-reliance and distraction and  infor- mation  overload), (iii)  social consequences  (shallow relationships  and bond,  damages relationships,  and safety  blanket), (iv)  instant gratification  (Everything-at-a-tap Phenomenon  and Lightning-fast  Networks), and  (v) covert  addiction  (socially  approved  and  easily  hidden).  Conclusions:  Exploring how  individuals  perceive  the consequences or risks of a behaviour is pertinent to health communication. These findings highlight the aspects which can be used in therapeutic approaches and health  communication programs  for targetting IA. 

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Lived experience and psychosocial impact of substance use disorder on an individual’s life and their close familial relationships 

Namrata  Gupta 

M.Phil. Clinical  Psychology (IHBAS)  Consultant Clinical  Psychologist, Vimhans Hospital, New Delhi 

Background: Addiction  (SUD) detrimentally  impacts an individual’s  life, along  with significant bearings  on lives of close family members, especially of those connected on daily basis. It’s a lived experience of shame, guilt, embarrassment and increased isolation. Aims:  This case study is aimed at  elucidating qualitative  changes  in lived and shared realties of client  and their family members  life’s through trauma lens  of psychotherapy  and change.  Objectives:  To  better understand psychological and  psychosocial variables  of addiction  and its  impact as  perceived by  an individual  and close family  members. Methodology:  The  papers attempts  to  better un-  derstand  psychological and  psychosocial variables of a 50 year old, male client belonging to upper-middle class, living in a traditional family setup in a urban city of India. Result: Psychotherapy Sessions for the Individual and family brought about changes in clients perception of self,  cohesiveness among  family members,  reduced sense  of guilt,  isolation and  increased sense  of support  and understanding.  Conclusion:  Trauma  lens  in  psychotherapy  for  substance  use  disorder  allowed  to  maintain  a compassionate approach  in process  of  psychotherapy,  enabling psychological  change and  recovery with  reduced resistance. 



Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of alcohol abusers qualitative findings from an exploration of alcohol abusers in ayush institute for Indian medical sciences 

Ganpatsing Ratan Sing Pardeshi,1 Sandip Tambare2 

1Project  coordinator, Ayush Institute for  Indian Medical  Sciences 

2Director, Ayush  Institute for Indian Medical Sciences 

Background: Despite  high relapse  rate among  alcohol  abusers, there  still have  been  little empirical  data to  date detecting the risk factors related to craving and  relapse from the  perspective of alcohol abusers. Therefore, the  aim of this study  was to  use qualitative  research  methods  exploring the  strengths,  weaknesses,  opportunities  and  threat factors that could facilitate or impede individuals’ abstinence  in a  real-life context  from the perspectives of  alcohol abusers. Aim/Objective:  To  use qualitative  research methods  exploring  the strengths,  weaknesses, opportunities  and threat factors  relating  to  individuals’ abstinence  in a  real-life context.  Method:  Semi  structured interviews  were conducted with  30alcohol abusers  admitted in  ayush institute  For Indian  medical sciences  guided by  open-ended questions  on narrating  the real-life  catalysts and  inhibitors related  to craving,  initiation, relapse  and abstinence. All data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. Results: The  results of the SWOT  analysis revealed  that contextual factors  including peer influence, prevalence and availability of  alcohol, familiar venue of alcohol use, discrimination, sexual behaviours, alcohol, emotional states and their attitudes towards smoking alcohol were important factors  that contribute  to reinitiating and relapse.  Surveillance systems, antidrug  social workers,  vocational skills  trainings, moving  to another  city and  family responsibility  might serve as counter measures targeting those mentioned weaknesses and threats above. Conclusion: This SWOT analysis highlights  the complex  nature of  relapse. Comprehensive interventions strengthening  coping skills  such as  virtual reality  techniques are  desperately needed  to facilitate  individuals’ sustained abstinence. 

120 Journal of Society for Addiction Psychology | Volume 1 | Issue 1 | March 2024   


Prevalence of internet addiction in Indian adolescents before and during COVID-19 pandemic: an overview 

Malvika Parakh,1 Viju D. Paindath,2 Anuradha Sathiyaseelan3 

1&3CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Department of Psychology, Main Campus, Bangalore 

2CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Department of Psychology, Delhi NCR Campus 

Background: With  educational institutes shut due to the COVID-19 related  lockdowns and  restricted movement, the exposure and need for being online increased, leaving adolescents vulnerable to internet addiction. With many countries reviewing the current prevalence of internet addiction in adolescents and changes usage patterns before and during the COVID-19  pandemic, the  latest data  in India  seems to  be scarce.  Aims  and objectives:  The  study reviewed  the prevalence studies done on Internet addiction in India prior to and during the pandemic with the objectives of examining the changes in prevalence rates of internet addiction, patterns of internet usage in adolescents prior to  and during the pandemic  and understanding  the mental  health challenges  associated internet  addiction faced  during the  Covid-19 pandemic. Method: A total of 74 studies that were conducted on adolescents in various parts of India from 2013-2022 were reviewed. The search was conducted in PubMed  and Google  Scholar, key words used were internet  addiction, prevalence,  adolescent, pandemic  and India.  Cross-referencing was  done from  the identified studies for  additional studies.  Results:  The  prevalence rates  varied over  a  broad  range  from  0.70  to  35%. This  broad  range  poses epidemiological  challenge.  These  studies  were  done  in individual  cities with  most  sample  sizes  inadequate  for generalization on  the adolescent population in  India. Findings  of overall increase in internet usage and other  mental health concerns  during lockdown  were common.  Most predicted higher prevalence  of internet addiction during  the pandemic  and in the post  pandemic era.  Conclusion: More comprehensive prevalence  studies  of internet addiction, with larger  sample size  across the  country is  required to  gauge mental  health challenges  in  the  current and  post pandemic  world. 

Keywords: internet addiction, prevalence,  adolescents, COVID-19  pandemic 


A systematic assessment of the effectiveness of psychological therapy in treating internet addiction-related mental health problems 

Piyush Aggarwal 

Ph.D scholar, Department of Psychology, Sharda University, Greater Noida 

Background: Gradually  internet addiction  is becoming  a serious  problem.  Several studies  show that  its effect  on social withdrawal, academic  decline, sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, suicidal  thoughts and other issues  related to  mental health. There is  an urgent need to identify those  suffering from  internet addiction at an  early stage  and provide an  effective treatment.  Aim and objectives: The aims of  the  study are to explore the  research showing  the effect  of internet  addiction on  mental health  and to  study the  effectiveness of various psychological  therapy tools in overcoming mental health issues related to internet addiction. Method: A systematic review of research articles published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language from 2012 to 2022 has been carried out. The articles were identified after  a systematic  database search. A total  of 24  articles were selected for the review. Results:  Mental health-related prob- lems associated with internet addiction suggests issues like  depression, sleep deprivation, loneliness, depression, academic  decline, loss of touch with real life, gaming disorders, suicidal thoughts associated  with internet addiction. The psychological  therapy used  in treating  mental health  issues associated  with internet  addiction includes  various tools like Multilevel counselling, Behavioural Therapy, strength exploration as  an effective  way to treat mental health issues  related to  internet addiction.  Conclusion: The  mental health  of  people  is  affected  by internet  addiction. Psychological therapy plays  an important role in  overcoming mental  health issues related to  internet addiction. Even pharmacotherapy  proves to be more effective if  used in combination with psychotherapy. 

Keywords: internet addiction, anxiety,  depression, sleep deprivation, psychological management. 


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Vape addiction among adolescents and young adults in the digital era 

Sujata Choudhary,1 Alpana Mohan2 

1Assistant Professor,  VMLG College, Ghaziabad 

2Associate Professor, VMLG College, Ghaziabad 

Background: In this digital era is  vape addition is  an emerging threat. Available  studies show that vape is  addictive. Psychological and physical dependence on use of vape may be more than nicotine. There is particular l concern about the use of vape by children, teens and even young adults. Aims and objectives: The main objective of this study is to create awareness regarding vape addiction among adolescents & young adults (aged between 14-30 years) and defining the role of the psychologist and counsellor in reducing vape addiction. Method: Secondary  data (corresponding data) to  sort out  the major  outcome regarding Vape addiction which is  prevalent among adolescent and  young adult  was conducted.  Informal interview was held  with those with vape  addiction and this was  considered as  a primary  data. Results and  conclu- sion:  In the light  of present findings, it  is substantiated  on the basis of  previous studies and interview from participants addicted to vape that it is addictive. It is also cause of behavioural and cognitive problems. It may be concluded that for reduction of vape addiction,  awareness programme/ workshop should be conducted time to time for young adults by  counsellors and psychologists. 

Keywords: vape,  addiction, substance use. 


Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of technology addiction among school-going adolescents in India: Findings from school-based cluster survey 

Sangappa Vaggar,1 Senthil Amudhan,2 Girish N. Rao,3 Manoj Kumar Sharma,4 

Eesha Sharma,5 Aishwarya B.,6 Devika A.B.,7 Akashanand8 

1-3, 6-8Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 

4Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences,  Bangalore 

5Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National  Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India-560029 

Background: Technologies like internet,  gaming, mobile phones, and television  has now  become an  integral part  of everyone’s  life. However,  excessive, &  inappropriate use  sometimes cause technology addiction  with adverse  health consequences. Adolescents are  prone to  technology addiction due to  their weak  capacity for self-regulation, & greater risk of peer pressure. Though adolescents  (10-19 years) constitute about  22% of  population in  India, research  on technology-addiction among adolescents was very limited  to inform  evidence-informed policies  and programmes  to promote healthy use of technology among adolescents. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of technology-addiction (internet, gaming, smart phone, Television) among school-going adolescents in India. Methods: To ensure due representation from  different socio-economic and cultural-gradients, one school and one PU college  in south zone of Bangalore was selected randomly from each stratum (public-sector, aided, and unaided) using stratified cluster sampling technique. A total of 816 adolescents completed the survey (age Mean=15.47; SD=1.4) by responding to  the questionnaire  that contained  pre-validated and  translated Internet Addiction Test-Adolescents,  Game-Addiction Scale, Smartphone-Addiction Scale  &Television-Addiction Scale  in addition  to socio-demographic  details. Data were entered into EpiInfo, and analysed using SPSS. Prevalence was estimated with 95% confidence interval and associated factors were analysed using  multivariate logistic regression. Results: Prevalence of technology addiction among  the users was 35.4% (95% CI: 32.2%-38.7%). Phone-addiction (34.4%; 95% CI: 31.4%-37.9%) was the most common addiction followed by gaming-addiction (5.5%; 95% CI: 3.4%-7.8%). Internet (94.6%; 93.0%-96.1%) was the commonly used technology with 51.7% (47.8%- 55.2%) of them having problematic use. Technology-addiction among adolescents was signif-  icantly associated  with psychological distress  (Odds Ratio:  3.5; 2.1-5.7),  parental  domestic  violence (Odds Ratio: 1.7; 1.2-2.6), bedtime technology use (Odds Ratio:  2.4; 1.1-4.8) and cyber bullying (Odds Ratio: 1.6; 

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1.1-4.8). Conclusion: The study findings point to the gravity of technology-addiction among school-going adolescents and highlight the need to develop multi component  school health intervention to  promote healthy use of technology among adolescents. Funding:  “BIOCON  Foundation”. 

Keywords: Adolescents, technology-addiction, school-survey, gaming-addiction, phone-addiction, internet-addiction. 


Substance abuse as a concern for adolescents: a descriptive focused group study 

Meena Osmany1 and Shaleen Mitra2 

1Associate  Professor, Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New  Delhi 

2Research  scholar, Department of Psychology,  Jamia Millia  Islamia, New  Delhi 

Background: There  is a  high prevalence  of  substance abuse  among adolescents  in  Delhi, however,  there is limited information available on the specific patterns resulting from this prevalence. Aims and objectives: To identify different ways  of preventing substance abuse  in adolescents  and understand the significance of imparting life skills  education as a tool to prevent Substance Abuse among adolescents of the Delhi Government Schools. Method: A focused group discussion using  11 questions  done with  a group  of 8  psychologists conducted Group sessions  with adolescents  in Delhi Government  schools from  January 2022  to June 2022 and  applied thematic analysis to  examine the substance abuse patterns. Results: The  emerging themes  of the study  showed higher  prevalence in boys compared to  girls of a similar age-group with the  age of  onset varying depending on the type  of substance  first exposed to, maintaining  10 years as  the minimum. Physical and  psychological indicators  were also identified. Common  contributing factors  to substance  abuse were  recognized out  of which  mass media,  socialization, family  influence, fear  of exclusion  and rejection are the main ones. The reported ways to help children with substance abuse comprised assertiveness training, inculcating feelings  of belongingness,  motivational interviewing,  in-vitro exposure, and tapping  on support systems. Prevention Strategies and  help-seeking behavior were explored where the role of  life skills education is to address the issue of substance abuse.  Conclusion. This  study showing the high  prevalence  of substance  abuse in  school-going adolescents in Delhi and  may help influence policy interventions required to be made in  the right  direction. 

Keywords: substance abuse, adolescents, focused group discussion, life skills. 


Effect of Cognitive Retraining Module Among Students with Internet Addiction Disorder 

Rabya Khatoon1 and Mona Tabassum2 

1Research Scholar, B.R.A. Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar,  India 

2Head of the Department and Associate Professor of Psychology, R.N. College, B.R.A. Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India 

Background: Internet  addiction disorder  a newly  emerging mental health  problem in  students. It  is associated  with student’s mood, behaviour and  cognitive functions  which affects  students academic performance. Internet  addiction disorder is a treatable disorder  and specific treatment approaches have been  adopted in different countries. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the effect of cognitive retraining treatment on internet addiction among university students. Method: 30 students who are addicted  to internet and  meeting the  inclusion criteria were selected.  Clinical data  sheet and Young Internet Addiction Test (Young). Cognitive  retraining executive  functioning module  had been  used for neuropsycho- logical treatment. The study had  been conducted  in a Central University in Delhi. Pre and post research design had been  used. t-test  statistical method  had been used for data analysis. Results: Pre and  post intervention  assessment results are significantly different. Severity levels of  internet addiction decreased with the help of cognitive retraining treatment. Conclusion: This study main objective was see the effect of cognitive retraining techniques  (executive functioning  module) for  improving cognitive  functions of  the university  students those  who had  addicted on  internet (Mild  to severe).  It is a new treatment approach  for internet  addiction dis- order 

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which help to reduce internet addiction problem  and improve self-control, planning and decision making skills. This study  is  not  helpful for  students, it  would be  helpful for  researchers and  mental  health  professional  to  choose neuropsychological treatment  for reducing  behaviour addiction  problems. 

Keywords:  internet  addiction,  mental  health  problems,  behaviour  addiction,  cognitive  retraining  module, neuropsychological  treatment. 


Relationship between internet addiction disorder and cognitive functions among university students 

Mona Tabassum,1 Rabya Khatoon2 

1Head,  Department & Associate Professor  of Psychology, R.N. College, B.R.A, Bihar University, Muzaffarpur,  India 2Research Scholar, B.R.A. Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar,  India 

Background: Internet  use is  one of  the essential academic  and recreational  tools for  students. However,  excessive pathological use of the internet leads  to a negative impact  on cognitive  functions which are seen in daily  functioning. Aims and  objectives: The main objective  of the  present study  is  to see  the relationship  between Internet Addiction Disorder  (IAD) and  the cognitive functions of  the students. Method: The total sample for the  present study was 100 with excessive  internet use  as an  inclusion criteria. The age  range was  18-26 years. The tests  used  were Young’s Internet Addiction Scale and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The present study was conducted at a central university in Delhi. One-time assessment was conducted. Correlation as a statistical method was used for result analysis. Results: It has been found that in the present  study IAD has a  positive and negative relationship with a  different domain of cognitive functions  on WSCT  i.e., the  total number  of errors  -0.079 and  p-value is  0.133. The  second domain  is perseverative responses  0.015 and p-value is  0.894, the third domain  is perseverative  errors 0.007  and p-value  is 0.495 the fourth domain  is non-perseverative response - 01 and  p-value is  0.290 and  the fifth domain is conceptual level responses  -0.061 and p-value is 0.273. Conclusion: This study helps give a clear  picture of specific domains  of cognitive functioning impairment  which would  be helpful  for the mental health professional and researchers to  make correct treatment approaches. 

Keywords: Internet Addiction Disorder, cognitive  function, mental health, behaviour addiction. 


Association between nicotine dependence and serum BDNF levels in patients with DSM-5 major depressive disorder 

Raja Babu Ramawat, Rizwana Quraishi, Raman Deep, Raka Jain 

Department  of Psychiatry  NDDTC 

Background: Role of brain derived  neurotrophic factor  (BDNF) has been studied  in the context of major depression, with evidence of lower  peripheral BDNF levels in depressed individuals.  However, literature  is scant with regard to its  association with nicotine dependence  among the depressed patients. Very few  studies have assessed serum  BDNF in smokers, which suggest a possibly higher BDNF with nicotine dependence. Aims & Objectives: The study assesses serum BDNF levels  in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), comparing  those with and without  nicotine dependence. Methodology: A total of 87 patients, aged 18-60 years, with DSM-5 diagnosis of MDD-currently depressed (HAM-D>7) were recruited, if they did not have co-occuring medical, psychiatric or substance use disorder apart from nicotine depend- ence. Participants were  assessed using clinical proforma, NIMH-Life Chart Method, 17-item  HAM- D and CUDOS. Three ml of venous blood sample was collected. The measurement of  serum BDNF  was carried out using Elisa  method. Results: Mean  age of the cases with MDD was 35.32  ±  11.69 years  (43 males, 44 females),  of which 11.5%  (n=10 males)  had nicotine  dependence. Groups  were comparable  for age,  education and  depression severity scores. Serum BDNF in MDD patients with nicotine dependence (1.84 ± 2.01 pg/ml) was significantly higher (U=543.00,  p=0.035) compared  to patients  without nicotine  dependence (1.27  ± 1.75  pg/ml).  Finding  remained significant  after restricting  the analysis  to male  gender (1.84  ±  2.01  vs 1.29  ± 2.06  pg/ml U=247.00,  p=0.017) 

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Conclusion: Serum  BDNF levels  were significantly higher in  depressed  subjects with nicotine dependence. These findings  may be explored further, with a  special emphasis on smoking  status of  subjects in  BDNF studies recruiting psychiatric  patients. 


Assessment of patterns of socio-demographic and clinical variables in intravenous opioid abusers presenting at a tertiary care center of North India 

Simran Gupta,1 Anupama Arora,2 Poonam Gupta3,  Dinesh Dutt Sharma,4 

Ravi Sharma,5 Nidhi Sharma6 

1,2Senior Residents; Department of Psychiatry, Dr YSPGMC and Hopital, Nahan 

4,5Assistant Professor ; Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla 

6Professor and Head of Department, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla 

3Clinical Psychologist; Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, PGIMS,UHS, Rohtak 

Introduction: Opioids  are natural  or synthetic  psychoactive substances  used as analgesics and have  a high  abuse potential.  Opioid use  disorder is  a chronic  lifelong disorder  with a  potential of  disability, relapses,  and death.  Aim: Assessment of  patterns of  socio-demographic and  clinical variables  in intravenous  opioid abusers  presenting at  a tertiary care center of North India. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was at de-addiction clinic, department of Psychiatry, IGMC, Shimla conducted between January 2021 and June 2021. Socio-demographic profile, psychological and clinical variables were assessed using a pre-structured performa after establishing a diagnosis of opioid dependence. Results: The study sample com- prised of 121 male intravenous drug abuse patients, with mean age ± SD of 23.95 ± 2.89  years, majority were unmarried (90.1%), 91(75%)  belonging to upper middle  socioeconomic status. 90(74.38%) reported  curiosity being  the reason  for first  use, 45(37.2%) reported relapse  after initial  treatment, 24(19.8%)  were admitted to rehab centers, 38(31.4%) patients reported behavioral problems during childhood out of which 31 reported history  of nail  biting; 39(32.23%)  reported behavioral problems during  adolescence. 7(5.8%) patients had  medico legal cases against them. Conclusion: Over the past few years there has been a rapid increase in the usage of injectable heroin and synthetic opioid analgesics which has become a serious drug abuse problem which has resulted in the need for early  screening in  young adult about the  pattern of substance use and explore  the high risk behaviour  practices. 

Keywords: Opioid abuse, intravenous drug use, psychosocial factors. 


Can digital well-being be a construct of nomophobia? 

Muskan,1 Ayushi Bharti,2 Rajeev Ranjan,3 Pankaj Kumar,4 Meha  Jain5, Shamshad Ahmad,6 

Yatan Pal Singh Balhara,7 Siddharth Sarkar,8 Biswa Ranjan Mishra9 

1Junior Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS,  Patna 

2Project Technical Officer, Department of  Psychiatry, AIIMS, Patna 

3Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, Patna 

4Additional Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, Patna 

5Child Psychologist, Department of Paediatrics, AIIMS  Patna 

6Associate Professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Patna 

7Professor, Department of Psychiatry, (NDDTC) AIIMS, New  Delhi 

8Additional Professor,  Department of Psychiatry, (NDDTC) AIIMS,  New Delhi 

9Additional Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar 

Background: Considered  a modern age phobia, nomophobia is  described  as the  irrational fear  or apprehension  of being unable to access the smart phone or being beyond mobile phone contact. The presenting study explores whether Digital Wellbeing construct can be  a part  of Nomophobia  or not.  Aims and objectives:  To  understand the positive aspects of Nomophobia. Method: This exploratory phenomenological analysis research design was carried  out on  17 students from  various academic  background from  three centres  of AIIMS  (Patna, New  Delhi and  Bhubaneswar). Students were selected based on a cut-off score 90 and above on the NMP-Q-Nomophobia Questionnaire. An in-depth 

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interview of the selected students was conducted for digital wellbeing construct of nomophobia. The data was recorded in  audio and  video  format,  transcribed, translated  from  Hindi  to English  language, the  themes extracted  through NVivo software and coded by  the team. Results: The findings identified  eleven sub themes  under  the super ordinate theme such as easy accessibility of smart phone has made life easier and seeking resources is right a click away. Stress buster apps helps stress coping in channelized manner. Being connected has become feasible and convenient. Enhanced creativity for showcasing inner talent.  Online stock marketing has  been proved beneficial for them. Content  creators- digital social media  has enhanced  their self  esteem and  self efficacy. E-counselling increased owing to confidentiality. Digital transaction  made money transfers convenient. Educative purpose increased accessibility to information. Dating apps improved  communication and  social skills.  Digital coping  provided relief  through scrolling  down gallery,  re- reading old chats and social media. Conclusion: The lived experiences of the students focused on the positive outcomes of smart  phone usage which justifies that digital wellbeing could  be a  construct of Nomophobia. 

Keywords:  nomophobia, lived  experiences, in-depth  interview, digital  well-being, exploratory  phenomenological analysis. 


Impact of family intimacy, conflict and parenting style on role identification of adolescents with parental substance abuse: a comparative study 

Amit Khawas,1 Swati Akshay Sachdeva,2 Namrata3 

1Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, Sikkim University 

2Professor, Department of  Sociology, Sikkim  University 

3Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, MANIT, Bhopal 

Background. North-Eastern Indian states reportedly have the highest incidence of intravenous drug use (IDUs). A2020 study found substance use to be a  major problem during the covid-19 pandemic in Darjeeling. Children are  adversely affected by parental substance abuse. The roles which they adopt to protect themselves constitute rigid sets of defences and compulsive behaviours  that have  survived value  in the  short term but are  dysfunctional when  the child  matures and leaves home. Aims and objectives. The present study assessed the gender differences among family relationships and role identification  in Kalimpong and Darjeeling  districts of West Bengal.  Method.  The descriptive survey  study was conducted through various rehabilitation centres  and community  of Kalimpong  and Darjeeling  district of West Bengal using convenience sampling technique. The sample comprised 50 males and 50 females participants in the age range of 14 to 16 years with parental substance abuse diagnosed as per ICD-11 criteria. The following tools were used for  the study:  Intimacy, Conflicts  and Parenting  Style (ICPS)  and Children  of Alcoholics  Family Role  Instrument (CAFRI). The data was analysed using SPSS Ver. 23. Descriptive statistics was used  to assess  the gender differences on the socio-demographic and clinical variables. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the impact of a predictor variable on  the criterion/outcome  variable. Results:  There  were no  significant gender  differences  on the  clinical variables  except on  the domain  of Family  conflict and  Placater role.  Regression analysis  indicates that  Intimacy, Conflict and Parenting Style significantly  predict the  roles of Acting Out and Adjuster in females. Among males, only Parenting Style has been found to be a significant predictor of Acting Out role. Conclusion: Family relationships have an important function in understanding the social roles taken up by an ado- lescent having parental substance addiction as  it aids  in family-centred  interventions. 

Keywords: family  intimacy, conflict,  parenting style, role identification,  parental substance abuse 

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Effects of substance use disorders on the family and intervention for family problem 

Priyanka Rajendra  Shinde,1 Sandip Tambare2 

1Counselor, Ayush Institute for  Indian Medical Sciences, Osmanabad, Maharashtra 

2Director, Ayush Institute for Indian Medical Sciences, Osmanabad,  Maharashtra 

Background: Substance  use  disorder  is  associated  with  numerous medical,  psychiatric, psychological,  spiritual, economic, social, family and legal  problems, creating  a significant burden for affected individuals and their  families. Aims and objectives: To study the effect of substance use disorders on the family and intervention for family problem. Method: The  individual in Ayush Institute for Indian  Medical Sciences assessed for family problems which  included effects of  substance use  disorders on  the family,  emotional burden,  economic burden,  relationship distress,  family instability, effects  on the developing fetus and children and effects on parents. Results: Family interventions can help the family influence or pressure the member with the SUD to enter treatment and address the impact of the SUD on the family system. It can help develop family support for the member with the SUD and help the family address their own reactions  and  problems  associated with  their  loved  one’s SUD.  It may  involve participation  in treatment,  family support for  problems, or both. Engaging  the family, providing education,  providing or  facilitating family treatment, reducing  the emotional  burden of  the family, helping the family support  the member with the SUD, helping  family members engage in  recovery to meet their own needs and focusing on children. Conclusion: Families  can help their loved  one in  several ways: facilitate their involvement in  treatment, attend sessions together to address the SUD and recovery needs, engage in ongoing discussion  about recovery,  what can and cannot be done to help  the member with the SUD, pointing out early warning signs of relapse that their loved  one may ignore and helping  them stabilize from a  relapse if  it should occur. 

A short study during 3 months training on de-addiction, counselling and rehabilitation at 

NISD (National Institute of Social Defence) 

Archana Chaudhary 

Rehabilitation  Psychologist 

The research aims to  study and  observe the  psychosocial interventions in the treatment and  prevention of  substance use disorders. Addiction to substance remains as one of the major problems in the world. Today, the drug dependency places a  huge challenge for India. Addiction contributes significantly to  morbidity and mortality of human race. The National Institute of Social  Defence is  spearheading the fight against  drug abuse  with trainings and strengthening  of the human  resource. The work done by NISD  is admirable  in this  regard. A  three-month training program on  drug abuse prevention and counselling, designed and executed by NISD is a way forward in the fight against drug dependency. The  training module, capsuled with the theoretical  knowledge and  experiential learning. The course was designed  to teach the various drug dependent issues faced by the individuals, the family, and the society at large. The four community clinic initiatives by AIIMS became the focal point of our learning during the field visit. Qualitative methods were used in the  study, where  basically information  was gathered  through interviews,  observations, and  interacting with  the focus groups. The observations include, if the society, at large  be educated about substance use disorder as an illness, then the  stigma attached  to it can be  removed and  even the  society can  contribute in  the social  re-integration of  the people currently abusing the substances. Substance use disorder and delinquency are inextricably interrelated, identifying substance abusing youth in the juvenile justice system is an important first step for intervening in both their substance use  disorder and  their delinquent  behaviour. There  was a  common pattern  that was  observed in  the people,  who indulged  in this behaviour. Most  of the  patients were  introduced to  any substance  at adolescents/pre-adolescents. If the  intervention programs are designed  to address  these vulnerable  groups, then certainly our  objective of prevention of  substance use  can be achieved. Treatment  has become  more approachable. The overall attitude and perspective towards illness have changed  with the  learnings and  exposure. 

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