Speech, Language, Cognitive, and Memory Abilities of Past Opioid Dependent Adults

Abstract

A lack of knowledge on the effects of neurological and motor processes from opioid dependency is prominent. ln efforts to gain knowledge, this research team will administer tests in cognition, memory, speech, and language on a group of neurotypical individuals with no past interactions with drugs or alcohol and individuals who were neurotypical before an extensive opioid dependency. It is hypothesized that individuals, ages 22-28 years old, who were opioid dependent will have impairments in speech, language, cognition and memory compared to like individuals who have not used/abused drugs or alcohol. The process of rehabilitating an individual who had a drug addiction, is lengthy and inconsistently successful relapses). To treat a disease effectively, the parameters of what is affected by the diseases needs to be established. The goal of this research paper is to test the extent of damage opioid dependency has on cognition, memory, speech, and language skills to improve rehabilitation treatments.