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Peer Reviewed
Objective
Disturbances in emotion regulation among people who use opioids receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) was reported in a few small studies. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of patients in MMT with impaired emotion regulation.
Findings/Key points
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.
Design/methods
A cross-sectional sample of 121 patients was studied by means of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Data on clinical, sociodemographic and addiction variables were reviewed, including results of random observed urine testing for opioids, alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and benzodiazepine (BDZ).
