Comparative study of alexithymia and anger dimensions in two groups with dependency to opioids and stimulants with the healthy counterparts

Introduction: The studies performed in the field of addiction emphasize that in addition to medical interventions, addiction treatment will not be possible without paying attention to the psychological factors. So, the present study has compared alexithymia and the anger dimensions in two groups with dependency to opioids and stimulants with the healthy counterparts.                                                                      Materials and Methods: In thiscausalcomparative study in 2016, 120 cases were assessed. 80 cases of Delshodegan Center in Tehran placed in two groups with dependency to opioids (n=40) and stimulants (n=40) and nondependent ones (n=40) were placed in matched groups in terms of demographic characteristics. Data collected through Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Spielberger StateTrait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results:There were significant differences among the three groups of healthy, dependent to stimulants and opioids in alexithymia (P 0.01, F=8.17) and anger (P 0.01, F=7.20). Amongst them, opioid addicts report high levels of alexithymia and anger. Conclusion: There is difference among the three groups of healthy people, dependents to stimulants and opioids in terms of alexithymia and anger rates. Meanwhile, it seems that the opioid addicts have more anger and alexithymia compared to healthy and dependents to stimulants.