Drug addiction and emotional dysregulation in young adults

Background: It is widely acknowledged that drug addiction is characterized by emotional dysregulation. Relatively few studies in this field, however, have focused on early adulthood. Aim: The present study aims to assess emotional functioning in young adults (aged 18-24) with drug addiction who have already been admitted to residential treatment. Methods: a group of young drug addicts admitted to residential treatment (N=41) was compared with a group of young adults without Substance Use Disorder (N=27). A series of psychological self-report questionnaires on emotional functioning, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 item, Sensation Seeking Scale–VI, Emotional Quotient Inventory and Observer Alexithymia Scale were administered. Descriptive and nonparametric analyses (Pearson’s chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and McNemar test) were performed. Results: High rates of alexithymia emerged from the administration of the observer scale, in contradiction with the self-report evaluation; also, past experiences related to sensation seeking and inadequate emotional intelligence abilities were identified as characteristics of this clinical group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that drug dependence in young adults is characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation, indicating the importance of specific and new treatment methodologies.