Browsing by Author "Tikir, Baise"

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    Differences in Sociodemographic Characteristics, Clinical Features and Serum Liver Function Tests of Male Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoid Users
    (2017) Kotan, Vahap Ozan; Yucens, Bengu Baz; Kotan, Zeynep; Ozkaya, Guven; Okay, Ihsan Tuncer; Tikir, Baise; Goka, Erol
    Objective: Synthetic cannabinoid (SC) use has recently become a growing substance abuse problem, with serious harmful clinical effects. Young males, especially cannabis (C) users, are at great risk of SC use. The aim of this study is to determine sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features and serum liver function tests of SC users and compare with those of C users. Methods: Out of 118 SC users applied to outpatient clinic of Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Center, 74 males included in this cross-sectional study. Patients with a concurrent use of any medication or substance other than C/SCs or patients with any physical illness which could affect serum liver function tests were excluded. 44.6% (n=33) of 74 patients were only SC users at least for last three months and 55.4% (n=41) were combined C and SC (C&SC) users. SC users were compared with 34 age and BMI-matched only C using males. Results: Rates of being single and divorced; rates of living with friends and alone were found to be higher in SC users. Adverse effects and withdrawal sypmtoms were found to be similar in C users and SC users. According to serum liver function test results, levels of gama-glutamil transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total/direct bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time and international normalized ratio were similar. Serum aspartate aminotransferase levels (31.2 +/- 22.0 IU/L and 41.5 +/- 21.5 IU/L respectively, p=0.026) and serum alanine aminotransferase levels (28.4 +/- 18.9 IU/L and 44.3 +/- 25.9 IU/L respectively, p=0.015) differed between C users and C&SC users. Results in this study revealed that increased serum levels of aminotransferases were especially associated with combined use of C and SCs. Conclusions: C abuse seems to be a precursor of SCs abuse, and risk of starting SCs use could be bigger for C users, who live alone or with friends, whereas living together with a family could be preventative. Combined use of C and SCs seem to increase the risk of hepatocellular injury compared to either C or SCs alone.
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    The relationship between internalized stigma and treatment motivation, perceived social support, depression and anxiety levels in opioid use disorder
    (2018) Akdag, Emine Merve; Kotan, Vahap Ozan; Kose, Samet; Tikir, Baise; Aydemir, Makbule Cigdem; Okay, İhsan Tuncer; Goka, Erol; Ozkaya, Goven
    OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine how internalized stigma differs in opioid use disorder (OUD) based on sociodemographic and clinical variables, and to what extent internalized stigma is related to treatment motivation, perceived social support, depression, and anxiety levels. METHODS: One hundred forty-five individuals with OUD included. Sociodemographic and clinical data form, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI), Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (TMQ), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were utilized in the study to collect data. Bivariate and partial correlation coefficients between variables were computed. ISMI and TMQ scores were compared between patients with depressive symptoms and patients without depressive symptoms by using t-test and Mann Whitney U test. RESULTS: Internalized stigma was high among male patients with heroin use disorder. There was a positive correlation between internalized stigma score and treatment motivation, depression, and anxiety levels. On the other hand, there was a negative correlation between internalized stigma score and multidimensional perceived social support. CONCLUSION: Internalized stigma occupies an important place in the treatment of OUD, which occurs with frequent relapses and which is hard to treat. Not only application for treatment but also adherence to treatment and treatment motivation at maintenance phase bestow a complicated relationship with depression and anxiety. In the struggle against internalized stigma, it plays a vital role to mobilize people's social support systems, to educate families on the issue and to get in touch with support units exclusive to heroin users.