HARCP Archives

Browse by article

Browse by volume

Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2013, 15, 1 (pages: 5 - 14)

Aggressive behaviour in heroin addicts at treatment entry

Bacciardi S., Maremmani A.G.I., Rovai L., Rugani F., Pacini M., Lamanna F., Dell'Osso L., Maremmani I.

Summary: Background: Few studies have focused on the difference between heroin-dependent patients and the general population. Methods: We evaluated the aggressive behaviour of 252 heroin-dependent patients (163 males and 89 females) at treatment entry, comparing them with the Italian general population (standardization sample). We also studied correlations between aggressive behaviour and the addiction history of our patients. We used the Buss-Durke Inventory (BDI) to assess aggressive behaviour and the Drug Addiction History Questionnaire for addiction history. Results: Overall, heroin-dependent patients scored higher than the general population. Specifically, the highest values were reached for the suspicion, resentment and assault dimensions; the lowest for irritability and verbal hostility. Feelings of guilt were higher than in general populations. Only 18.7% showed a low aggression profile; 3 out of every 4 patients were characterized by violent behaviour due to suspicion and resentment (type 2). With respect to the general population, a greater number of heroin-dependent patients showed an aggressive type 2 profile (OR=3.2). Addiction history and type and degree of aggressive behaviour showed a weak correlation (only found with altered mental status, legal problems, periods of voluntary or forced abstinence, social leisure activity). Conclusions: At treatment entry, heroin addicts showed more violent behaviour than the general population; this was related to altered mental status and weakly correlated with addiction history. Thus, studies correlating aggressive behaviour with other symptomatological states are needed