Personality Dimensions Influencing the Relapse of Substance Abuse in Drug Dependents under Methadone Maintenance Treatment

This study was aimed to determine the personality dimensions which can influence the relapse of opioid substance dependents that are under methadone maintenance treatment. In this prospective study 210 addicts who were referred to methadone clinics in 1389 were selected through judgmental sampling. All participants completed the self made questionnaire and Temperament and Character Inventory and it was followed for 6 months. Data were analyzed by t test. Data analysis revealed that relapsed group has higher scores in novelty seeking and harm avoidance compared to non-relapsed group. Also, their scores in selfdirectiveness and cooperativeness were lower than non-relapsed group. No significantdifferences were found in reward dependence and persistence. This personality profile due to dimensional personality model of Cloninger showed that patients who relapse are high in novelty seeking and harm avoidance and low in cooperativeness and self directiveness. has important information about nature of personality traits that effect relapse of addiction and has implications for treatment plan and relapse prevention.