The role of alexithymia, impulsivity and emotional intelligence in predicting relapse of druge abuse disorder

Recurrence in substance abusers is high, but alexithymia, impulsivity and emotional intelligence can  play a role in predicting it.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of alexithymia, impulsivity and emotional intelligence in predicting recurrence of substance abuse disorder.

Descriptive-correlational research method and among those who referred to addiction treatment centers, 120 were selected by purposeful. For information gathering, we used the predicted scales Wright at al( 2001, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (FTAS-20) (1994), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) (2004), and Bradbury and Graves' emotional intelligence(2005) . Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression.

The results showed that there is a  significant positive relationship between alexithymia, difficulty in identifying feelings, total score of impulsivity and the dimensions of motor impulsivity and cognitive impulsivity with relapse. There was a significant  negative relationship between the impulsiveness of non-planning , emotional intelligence and dimensions with self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management of emotional intelligence components   and recurrence of drug use (p<0/01). impulsivity in non-planning,impulsivity and management of relationships could explain the recurrence of drug use (p<0/01).

So it can be concluded  that with increasing alexithymia and general impulsivity, increased recurrence of drug abuse, and with the increase in emotional intelligence, decreased recurrence of drug abuse.