Citation

Della Rocca F, Maremmani AGI, Bacciardi S, Miccoli M, Maremmani I. Heroin Addict. Relat. Clin. Probl. 2022; 24(5): 43-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, European Opiate Addiction Treatment Association, Publisher Pacini Editore)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In continuing the validation process of the five psychopathological dimensions which we have considered specific to Substance Use Disorders (SUD), we tested the possible correlations between them and the severity of behavioural covariates of cocaine craving, as well as their ability to distinguish between recreational and problematic cocaine users.

METHODS: 63 subjects, 50 males and 13 females, mean age 38±12 were recruited to participate in the study. To evaluate behavioural correlates of cocaine craving we used the CPSI (Cocaine Problem Severity Index). Symptoms of psychopathology were assessed by using the SCL90 (Symptomatological Check List) according to the Maremmani et al. factor analysis. According to the CPSI score, 19 subjects showed experimental/recreational (E/R) cocaine use, whereas 44 were patients with 'cocaine dependence requiring assistance (CDRA).

RESULTS: Cocaine craving was positively correlated with the severity of Sensitivity/Psychoticism (S/P) and Violence/Suicide (V/S) dimensions. E/R cocaine users were characterized by elevated values-scores in the categories relating to Worthlessness/Being Trapped (W/BT) and Somatic Symptoms (SS), whereas Sensitivity/Psychoticism (S/P), and Violence/Suicide (V/S) dimensions were characteristics of CDRA subjects. Somatic symptoms (SS) typology was more highly represented in the E/R group whereas Violence/ Suicide (V/S) was more frequently represented in the CDRA group. The severity and typology of psychopathology were able to be differentiated between the E/R and CDRA patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The psychopathology specific to SUD is correlated with cocaine-craving behavioural covariates and is able to differentiate E/R from CDRA patients and can differentiate-discern between E/R and CDRA patient groups, therefore providing further evidence of its specificity. © 2022, Pacini Editore S.p.A./AU-CNS. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; suicide; female; male; depression; anxiety; psychosis; suicide attempt; disease severity; cocaine; major clinical study; questionnaire; self report; cross-sectional study; diamorphine; cocaine dependence; heroin dependence; Article; observational study; validity; somatoform disorder; Symptom Checklist 90; disease severity assessment; drug craving; behavioural covariates of cocaine craving; Cocaine craving; cocaine dependence requiring assistance; Cocaine Problem Severity Index; discriminanvalidity; experimental/recreational cocaine users; psychopathology specific to substance use disorder; recreational drug use