Aisling V Henschel1, Julianne C Flanagan2, Isabel F Augur3, Stephanie M Jeffirs4, Sudie E Back2,5. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. 3. Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. 4. Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA. 5. Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prescription opioid (PO) use disorder is a national public health crisis. Distress tolerance and alexithymia are two separate but related components of emotion regulation that are known to impact substance use disorders. No studies to date, however, have examined the role of distress tolerance and alexithymia in PO use disorder. Thus, the current study examined the association between distress tolerance, alexithymia, and specific motivations for PO use. METHODS: Participants were non-treatment-seeking individuals with current PO use disorder (N = 81; average age = 35.0). Assessments included the Distress Tolerance Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Inventory of Drug Taking Situations. RESULTS: The findings indicate that distress tolerance mediated the association between alexithymia and PO use in negative situations. Specifically, distress tolerance mediated the association between alexithymia and unpleasant emotions, testing personal control, and conflict with others. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The results provide novel information regarding emotional states that may contribute to PO use and are malleable intervention targets. Additionally, this study adds to existing literature exploring the relationship between distress tolerance and substance use and is the first to expand upon the connection between alexithymia and distress tolerance in an opioid-using population. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prescription opioid (PO) use disorder is a national public health crisis. Distress tolerance and alexithymia are two separate but related components of emotion regulation that are known to impact substance use disorders. No studies to date, however, have examined the role of distress tolerance and alexithymia in PO use disorder. Thus, the current study examined the association between distress tolerance, alexithymia, and specific motivations for PO use. METHODS: Participants were non-treatment-seeking individuals with current PO use disorder (N = 81; average age = 35.0). Assessments included the Distress Tolerance Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Inventory of Drug Taking Situations. RESULTS: The findings indicate that distress tolerance mediated the association between alexithymia and PO use in negative situations. Specifically, distress tolerance mediated the association between alexithymia and unpleasant emotions, testing personal control, and conflict with others. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The results provide novel information regarding emotional states that may contribute to PO use and are malleable intervention targets. Additionally, this study adds to existing literature exploring the relationship between distress tolerance and substance use and is the first to expand upon the connection between alexithymia and distress tolerance in an opioid-using population. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
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