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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2013, 15, 2 (pages: 19 - 28)

Drug addiction: affective temperaments as risk factor.

Rovai L., Maremmani A. G. I., Bacciardi S., Rugani F., Pacini M., Perugi G., Dell'osso L., Akiskal H., and Maremmani I.

Summary: The scientific community has recently examined whether correlations exist between affective temperaments and substance abuse disorders. We will try to summarize what is presently known about the nature of these relationships. After reviewing the theory of affective temperaments of Akiskal and Mallya, we will discuss affective temperaments in heroin addicts and alcoholics, with the aim of providing an “at-risk temperamental profile” for the development of substance abuse disorders. A working hypothesis is then formulated to help explain how temperamental profile may promote the initiation of substance use and contribute to the development of addiction.