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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2014, 16, 3 (pages: 35 - 40)

Comparing emotional clarity, emotion experience, and emotion regulation in persons with heroin addiction with and without physical withdrawal

Xin Z., Lu X., Li F., Renlai Z., Ge J., Ling Y., and Yueyue C.

Summary: Background: Emotional problems play a key role in inducing relapse among those who suffer from substance addiction. Methods: In the present study, we determine differences in emotional clarity and experience, and the regulation of emotion in the two groups selected by us: 28 men with heroin addiction who were not experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms (M = 39.64, SD = 4.12, range: 32–50 years) and 28 men with heroin addiction who were experiencing such symptoms (M = 40.96, SD = 4.47, range: 32-50 years). To measure these variables, we used the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the identification subscale of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Results: Compared with the abstinent group, the non-abstinent group experienced increased negative emotion and made less use of cognitive reappraisal strategies. In addition, the groups did not significantly differ in emotional clarity, positive emotional experience, or frequency in their use of suppression strategies. Conclusions: Our study suggests that, among heroin addicts, abstinence contributes to the release of negative emotions and the use of effective emotion regulation strategies, but that, at the same time, it failed to enhance positive emotional experiences.