Predicting the Substance Use Relapse according to Childhood Trauma: Mediating Role of Object Relations Alienation, Borderline Personality Organization & Depression

 Harmful effects of ubstance use relapses has been long a greate challenge in the treatment of addiction. The purpose of this study was to explain the substance use relapse model in addict individuals based on the childhood trauma, regarding the mediating roles of object relations alienation, borderline personality organization and depression in a group of Methadone-treated addicts.

Applying a descriptive - correlational design, among all male methadone-treated  addicts of kashan city in 2019, a sample of 170 subjects were selected by available sampling method and inclusion/exclusion criteria were controlled for. Data were collected through the Relapse Prediction Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Bell's Object Relations Inventory, and the Kernberg’s   Inventory of Personality. Data analysed by a path analysis of structural equation modeling.

The structural equation modelling of childhood trauma, alienation, personality organization and depression with substance use relapse directly and indirectly demonstrated significant fitness (RMSEA: 0.0489). Among indirect paths, mediator variables including object relations and depression were significant. Overall, this models explained %49/6 of the variances of substance use relapse among Methadone-treated male addicts.

Childhood trauma impact personality organization, feelings of alienation, and depression in later life periods, and relapse is a style to get rid of these suffering. From this perspective, identifying and addressing these factors provides a deeper understanding of relapse. It is suggested that in an effective treatment context address the variables expressed in the form of treatment protocols.