Brain Stimulation and Methamphetamine in Iran: A Debate in the Most Populous Persian Gulf Country

Methamphetamine dependence has been known as a serious health problem in a large proportion of illicit drug users in Iran. Compared with the opium problem, methamphetamine dependence is a new epidemic concern in Iran. The prevalence of methamphetamine dependence is associated with crucial health problems such as poor psychological well-being, social dysfunction, craving, and a higher rate of addiction severity. This issue necessitates professional attention to the rehabilitation of methamphetamine users and treatment of craving. To date, few research studies have been conducted on this health concern. Studies in Iran indicate that methamphetamine craving shows resistance to treatment. While few pharmacological treatments have been found to be effective, motivational interviewing, matrix model and cognitive-behavioral therapy have been all evaluated in Iran to treat methamphetamine craving. However, the treatment effects need to be more long-lasting. Previous studies show that methamphetamine users lapse and relapse for a variety of reasons include “pleasure-seeking”/“impulsivity”/“habits”/“pain avoidance”/“craving”/“bad feelings eliminating such as boredom & loneliness” which have a strong neurological basis in the central nervous system and emotions and decisions that result from them. Thus we should use a range of different modalities to treat and prevent relapse.

کلیدواژه ها:

Methamphetamine use disorder ، Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) ، Craving ، Brain Stimulation ، Iran