Many illicit drugs can alter the way a person’s mind
functions. It can permanently damage the brain and leave cognitive functioning
at a minimal. With the long-term use of heroin abuse, brain cognition is
affected greatly.
In a study done in 2014, one0hundred and forty individuals
that were undergoing methadone maintenance treatment due to their heroin abuse
were given a computerized test. There were 8 female participants and 48
participants were in the abstinent group meaning that their urine test was negative
for heroin. The individuals were asked to provide some social-demographic data
and to what extent that they abused heroin. The participants were tested on
explicit and implicit cognition. Once the participants completed the
computerized test, the results showed that the more a person abused heroin, the
lower their scores were in cognition. Another finding in the study was that
heroin users receiving the treatment who have more favorable explicit cognition
toward heroin use were less likely to maintain abstinence (Wang, 2014).
There were no limitations to this study. The study included
both men and women. The study also included those who were very addicted to
heroin and tested positive and those users who were becoming clean and tested
negative for the drug. Although the abstinent group was still classified as
heroin abusers and was receiving treatment, they were being helped and could
abstain from abusing.
Heroin is a very nasty drug. It is easily addictive. Shown
in this study is how the drug can alter the mind over time and affect the
brains cognition. It hinders cognition but still the body craves the heroin and
the user is more inclined to never stop using and abusing. No matter how much
heroin use is glorified, the drug will always lead the addict down the wrong
road. It will lead them towards brain impairment and maybe even death.
Explicit and implicit heroin-related cognitions and heroin use
among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment.
Wang, Peng-Wei; Lin,
Huang-Chi; Wu, Hung-Chi; Hsu, Chih-Yao; Chung, Kuan-Sheng; Ko, Chih-Hung; Yen,
Cheng-Fang
Comprehensive
Psychiatry, Aug 19 , 2014, No Pagination Specified. doi:
10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.08.047
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