Alexithymia, impulsivity and sensation seeking in Buprenorphine addiction: A comparative study

Background: Addiction to Subutex (R) can be conceptualized as a consequence of the interaction between individual, environmental and substance-related risk factors. Impulsivity, alexithymia and sensation seeking form part of the personality traits that have been implicated in the development of addiction. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study including 50 patients with addiction to Subutex (R) (PSA) and 50 witnesses. We estimated alexithymia with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS-20), impulsiveness with the BARRATT Impulsiveness Scale and we assessed seeking sensation with the Brief Seeking Sensation Scale. Results: Alexithymia (total TAS-20 score superior to 56) was significantly more frequent in the PSA group (54%) compared to the control group (24%) (p < 0.05). A high level of impulsivity, was found in 60% of the PSA group participants. That rate was significantly higher than in the control group. PSA scored significantly higher in three of the four dimensions of sensation seeking as well as in the BSSS-8 total score, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Such personality traits may alter the therapeutic course and promote poly-addiction as well as riskier addictive behaviors such as using injections. Therapeutic interventions should include reducing the consequences of alexithymia, impulsivity and sensation seeking.