Characteristics of Patients in Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Who Have Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

Characteristics associated with high DERS scores (logistic regression model) were BDZ use and 20 years of opioid use before admission to MMT. Among the subscales, impulse control difficulties (IMPULSE) and limited access to emotion regulation strategies (STRATEGIES) were independently related to substance use. Greater cocaine usage was also more prevalent only in univariate analyses. The DERS score correlated inversely with years of education among patients with negative urine test. The DERS subscale score for lack of emotional awareness was lower among patients with suicide attempts or involvement in physical violence. Since the IMPULSE and STRATEGIES scores predict drug use, these aspects of emotional regulation should be targeted first in third-wave cognitive-behavioral intervention in MMT.