The relationship between narcisism levels, relaps and treatment motivation in men with alcohol and substance use disorders

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between narcissism levels, treatment motivation and relapse in men with alcohol or substance use disorders. Method: The participants were 75 male patients with a mean age of 38,80 ± 12,21 who received inpatient treatment at Erenköy Psychiatric Hospital Alcohol and Substance Treatment Center with the diagnosis of alcohol or substance use disorders. All participants were applied an Informed Consent Form, Sociodemographic and Clinic Information Form, Self Psychology Inventory (CPI) and Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (TMQ). Research data were analyzed with SPSS for Mac 23.0 program. Results: As a result of the research, a significant and negative correlation observed between defensive grandiose self of KPE and TMA's interpersonal help seeking is determined. In addition, it was found that participants who have received social support scored significantly higher on TMA's internal motivation, external motivation and total score. It was found that patients with children had lower relapse scores; in addition, the number of having children and the age at which the patient first applied to treatment were negatively correlated with relapses. In our sample, age onset of alcohol and substance use were negatively correlated with narcisisim. The patients who had a psychiatric history in the family; had legal problems due to alcohol/subtance use and had a job/school loss scored significantly higher on TMA's different scales. Conclusion: Our research showed that narcissism, measured with defensive grandiose self of KPE, developed pathologically with traumatic early life experiences may be a risk factor for treatment motivation in alcohol and substance use disorders. The findings are expected to guide in developing treatment protocols for dependence. Keywords: alcohol use disorder, substance use disorders, narcissism, treatment motivation, relapse