Emotion regulation and motives for illicit drug use in opioid-dependent patients. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gold, Alexandra K.; Stathopoulou, Georgia; Otto, Michael W.
• Is Part Of: Cognitive behaviour therapy. Volume 49:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Opioid dependence -- coping motives -- emotion regulation -- difficulties in emotion regulation scale; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2019.1579256
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1650-6073

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Refining the mechanisms behind illicit drug use is an important factor for improving the quality of clinical care. Research in alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine use disorders have linked coping motives (e.g. using substances to ameliorate negative emotional states) to problematic substance use. We evaluated the link between emotion regulation difficulties (as assessed via the difficulties in emotion regulation scale [DERS]) and motives for drug use (as assessed via the Drug Use Motives Questionnaire) among individuals ( n = 68) with opioid use disorders who were in methadone maintenance treatment. We found that the DERS total score was significantly associated with coping motives for use. Nonacceptance of emotional responses was the only DERS domain that offered nonredundant prediction of coping motives. These findings highlight the relevance of specific emotion regulation deficits in motives for illicit drug use among individuals with opioid use disorders and may help inform targeted cognitive-behavioral treatments in this population.