Time and Risk Factors Associated with Relapse among Drug-Dependent Patients Who Underwent Neurosurgery by Ablating the Nucleus Accumbens

The aim of the present study was to examine the relapse time and analyse the social, psychological and physical factors related to relapse among drug-dependent patients who had undergone neurosurgery by ablating the nucleus accumbens (NAc surgical group) and those who had undergone detoxification with non-operative treatment in residential compulsory rehabilitation centres (control group). A total of 100 patients from the NAc surgical group and 92 patients from the control group were recruited in the study for 5 years. Information regarding their experiences of previous abstinence from drug use and the relapse time was obtained by interviews, while the relapse reasons were obtained through questionnaire. The study shows that there is a significant correlation in relapse reasons between the two groups. 'Relief from disturbance' (psychological factor) and 'peer influence' (social factor) were the two main factors associated with relapse. Factors like 'desire for last use' and 'boredom' (psychological factor) were more associated with relapse in the control group than the NAc surgical group. At 5 years post-operation, the number of patients in the employment and married status in non-relapse group was significantly higher than in the relapse group. There was also a statistical difference in the 5-year survival rate between them. The average relapse time was the first three years. Thus prevention of relapse to drug dependence after detoxification, especially for those with NAc surgery should be improved to focus on the main factors and time.