Experience of Drug Abusers Participating in Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Services Provided by the Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers (CCPSAs) in Hong Kong

Despite the official statistics showing that the number of drug users has been declining, the problem of drug abuse remains serious in Hong Kong. This problem is evidenced by the trend of hidden and prolonged drug abuse. The recovery of drug abusers is an important process, because the misuse of drugs can cause many bio-psycho-social complications. Therefore, 11 Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers (CCPSAs) in different districts in Hong Kong play an important role on those drug abusers [1]. As a core community-based drug rehabilitation service in Hong Kong, studies about CCPSAs are limited. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach to explore the experience of drug abusers participating in community-based drug rehabilitation services provided by CCPSAs. Five CCPSA users, who utilized the services for more than two months, participated in the semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data collected were then analysed by thematic analysis, and five themes were generated: 1) receiving supportive counselling service in CCPSAs, 2) revealing variance towards nonmandatory services in CCPSAs, 3) encountering intrapersonal conflicts when participating in CCPSAs, 4) expanding social network through integration in group activities and 5) wishing to be a companion to other drug abusers. Findings of this study provide valuable insights towards services modification and the enhancement of drug rehabilitation and drug abusers’ wellbeing over the collaboration of healthcare workers, services providers and the media. However, this study has some limitations, and it presents suggestions for future research.

BCI+VR Rehabilitation Design of Closed-Loop Motor Imagery Based on the Degree of Drug Addiction

After abusing drugs for long,drug users will experience deteriorated self-control cognitive ability,and poor emotional regulation.This paper designs a closed-loop virtual-reality(VR),motorimagery(MI)rehabilitation training system based on brain-computer interface(BCI)(MI-BCI+VR),aiming to enhance the self-control,cognition,and emotional regulation of drug addicts via personalized rehabilitation schemes.This paper is composed of two parts.In the first part,data of 45 drug addicts(mild:15;moderate:15;and severe:15)is tested with electroencephalogram(EEG)and near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)equipment(EEG-NIRS)under the dual-mode,synchronous signal collection paradigm.Using these data sets,a dual-modal signal convolutional neural network(CNN)algorithm is then designed based on decision fusion to detect and classify the addiction degree.In the second part,the MIBCI+VR rehabilitation system is designed,optimizing the Filter Bank Common Spatial Pattern(FBCSP)algorithm used in MI,and realizing MI-EEG intention recognition.Eight VR rehabilitation scenes are devised,achieving the communication between MI-BCI and VR scene models.Ten subjects are selected to test the rehabilitation system offline and online,and the test accuracy verifies the feasibility of the system.In future,it is suggested to develop personalized rehabilitation programs and treatment cycles based on the addiction degree.

Review of pathological index detection and new rehabilitation technique of drug addicts

There are two major research issues with regard to detoxification;one is pathological testing of drug users and the other is rehabilitation methods and techniques.Over the years,domestic and foreign researchers have done a lot of work on pathological changes in the brain and rehabilitation techniques for drug users.This article discusses the research status of these two aspects.At present,the evaluation of brain function in drug addicts is still dominated by a single electroencephalography(EEG),nearinfrared spectroscopy(NIRS),or magnetic resonance imaging scan.The multimodal physiological data acquisition method based on EEG–NIRS technique is relatively advantageous for actual physiological data acquisition.The traditional drug rehabilitation method is based on medication and psychological counseling.In recent years,psychological correction(e.g.,emotional ventilation,intelligent physical and mental decompression,virtual reality technique and drug addiction suppression system,sports training,and rehabilitation)and physical therapy(transcranial magnetic stimulation)have gradually spread.These rehabilitations focus on comprehensive treatment from the psychological and physical aspects.In recent years,new intervention ideas such as brain–computer interface technique have been continuously proposed.In this review,we have introduced multimodal brain function detection and rehabilitation intervention,which have theoretical and practical significance in drug rehabilitation research.

In a Rehabilitation Center for Drug Addicts

WHEN China opens its doors to the outside world, fresh air comes in. So do flies. While drug addicts were unknown in China for 30 years, there are now reports of drug users and their related crimes. In an effort to abolish drug abuse in China, rehabilitation centers are being set up throughout the country to give medical aid to drug users trying to kick the habit. These photos were taken in a rehabilitation center in a small town in Gansu Province in the northwestern part of China.

A Visit to the Rehabilitation Center for Drug Addicts

TWENTY-four-year-old Mu Li has come to the rehabilitation center in Tianjin of her own free will. After a year on drugs, she now wants to quit. This is her second time being hospitalized. The first time, she stayed for 20 days in the center. Not long after she was discharged, however, she was on drugs again. So she came back to the center, begging to be hospitalized again. The Tianjin Rehabilitation Center for Drug Addicts (TRCDA) where Mu Li is being treated was established in 1992, although cases of drug abuse were then still rare in the city. However, with the increasing rate of drug abuse in