Evaluation of cognitive functioning in 101 patients before opiate detoxification: Implications in setting up therapeutic strategies

Emmanuel Streel, MA, PhD; Valérie Antoniali, MA; Salvatore Campanella, MA, PhD; Julie Castronovo, MA; Catherine Hanak, MD; Isy Pelc, MD, PhD; Paul Verbanck, MD, PhD

doi:10.5055/jom.2005.0012

Authors

Emmanuel Streel, MA, PhD
Valérie Antoniali, MA
Salvatore Campanella, MA, PhD
Julie Castronovo, MA
Catherine Hanak, MD
Isy Pelc, MD, PhD
Paul Verbanck, MD, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2005.0012

Keywords:

detoxification, rehabilitation, cognitive function, addiction

Abstract

Many studies have brought to light the facts that repeated use of drugs significantly influences one’s cognitivefunctions, and that cognitive problems could interfere directly with one’s capacity to participate in a rehabilitation program. In this research, we used the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) to assess the cognitive status of 101 hospitalized patients in an opiate detoxification program. The results reveal that a major-ity of the tested patients present cognitive abnormalities to varying degrees of severity. Furthermore, these cognitive deficits are correlated withfour Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scales (medical, alcohol use, drug use, and psychiatry, respectively). Considering the results, because cognition is a major issue in detoxification and rehabilitation programs, simple cognitive screening (as with the GDS) coupled with a particular interest in some aspects of a patient’s anamnesis could lead to better management of opiate-dependentpatients.

Author Biographies

Emmanuel Streel, MA, PhD

CHU Brugmann (Université Libre de Bruxelles), Service de Psychiatrie, Clinique d’Alcoologie & Toxicomanies, and ISEPK, Laboratoire des sciences de la motricité, Brussels, Belgium.

Valérie Antoniali, MA

CHU Brugmann (Université Libre de Bruxelles), Service de Psychiatrie, Clinique d’Alcoologie & Toxicomanies, Brussels, Belgium.

Salvatore Campanella, MA, PhD

Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l’Education (Université Catholique de Louvain), Unité de Neurosciences Cognitive, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium.

Julie Castronovo, MA

Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l’Education (Université Catholique de Louvain), Unité de Neurosciences Cognitive, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium.

Catherine Hanak, MD

CHU Brugmann (Université Libre de Bruxelles), Service de Psychiatrie, Clinique d’Alcoologie & Toxicomanies, Brussels, Belgium.

Isy Pelc, MD, PhD

CHU Brugmann (Université Libre de Bruxelles), Service de Psychiatrie, Clinique d’Alcoologie & Toxicomanies, Brussels, Belgium.

Paul Verbanck, MD, PhD

CHU Brugmann (Université Libre de Bruxelles), Service de Psychiatrie, Clinique d’Alcoologie & Toxicomanies, Brussels, Belgium.

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