The effects of childhood traumas and attachment styles on functionality, suicidality, impulsivity, and quality of life in patients with opiate use disorder in remission

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to reveal the childhood traumas, attachment styles, quality of life, adherence to treatment, and impulsivity levels of opiate use disorder (OpUD) patients. Method: 100 patients with OpUD receiving outpatient treatment at Akdeniz University Alcohol and Substance Addiction Research and Application Center and 100 healthy volunteers constitute the sample of the study. Sociodemographic Data Form prepared for this study, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQL-BREF), and Substance Craving Scale (SCS) were used to collect data in the study. Results: Except for CTQ Sexual Abuse (p=0.125), all domain scores were found to be significantly higher in OpUD patients than in healthy controls (Emotional abuse p<0.001, Emotional neglect p=0.002, Physical abuse p<0.001, and Physical neglect p<0.001). When both groups were evaluated in terms of attachment styles domains scores, no significant difference was found between the groups, but only RQS-Dismissing domain scores were found to be statistically significantly lower in COPD patients compared to the control group (p=0.046). When the impulsivity levels were examined, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of BIS Attentional impulsivity (p=0.417) subscale scores, while it was found that the BDI-Motor impulsivity and Non-planning impulsivity scores were statistically significantly higher in OpUD patients compared to healthy controls (respectively p=0.047 and p<0.001). It was observed that all subscale scores of WHOQL-BREF except psychological health were significantly lower in OpUD patients compared to healthy controls (General health p<0.001, Physical health p<0.001, Social relationships p<0.001, and environmental health domains p=0.034). It was found that there were negative, low-moderate, strong, and statistically significant correlations between SCS scores and all WHOQL-BREF domains in OpUD patients. Conclusion: It can be said that OpUD patients are exposed to more trauma in childhood, have worse quality of life, and are more impulsive. No difference was found in the attachment styles of OPPD patients and controls. When creating a treatment plan for OpUD patients, a detailed evaluation of the impulsivity, attachment, and childhood traumatic experiences, interventions to improve coping skills, and structuring treatment programs to increase the quality of life may increase the success of treatment. Keywords: Opiate Use Disorder, Childhood traumas, Attachment styles, Quality of life, Impulsivity, Relapse