Investigation of the relationship between attachment and emotion regulation with oxytocin and neurosteroids i̇n patients with substance use disorder

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotion regulation and attachment with serum levels of NAS and oxytocin in individuals with Methamphetamine Use Disorder (MUD) and to examine the difference between healthy individuals. METHODS: In this study, 40 male patients diagnosed with MUD and 41 healthy individuals were included. Subjects were evaluated with SCID-1 and SCID-2 interviews, and a sociodemographic form was applied. Emotion Regulation Difficulties Scale (ERDS), Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (ECR), Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale tests applied to patients and healthy volunteers, Substance Craving Scale (SCS), and Addiction Profile Index tests applied only to the patients. Allopregnanolone (ALLO), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol (E2), and oxytocin levels were measured in the blood. RESULTS: ERDS, ECR, and BPAQ scores were significantly higher in the patient group (PG). A positive correlation was found between SCS scores and serum levels of DHEAS, E2, testosterone, and oxytocin for PG. Testosterone level remained significant in the regression analysis (RGA) for SCS. A negative correlation was found in the control group (CG) between ERDS scores and ALLO and testosterone levels. Hormone levels lost their significance in RGA for DERS scores. In CG, there was a significant negative correlation between BPAQ anger scores and DHEAS; ALLO, testosterone and DHEAS remained significant in RGA. CONCLUSION: PG showed greater emotion regulation difficulty and insecure attachment than CG. DHEAS, E2, testosterone, and oxytocin levels were increased same direction as craving scores in PG, and testosterone was found to be the significant hormone of these. While ALLO and testosterone levels were increased in KG, emotion regulation difficulties were decreased. We could not determine same relationship in PG. DHEAS, ALLO, and testosterone levels showed negative relation with anger scores in KG; DHEAS was more important than the others.