Comparison of attachment style in people with and without drug abuse

Various studies indicate that, insecure attachment in childhood has a strong relationship with future vulnerability to grow various types of problems such as criminal acts, transgression, various types of mental disorders and the desire to use drugs. Academic evidences also indicate that, people with drug abuse issues are usually suffering from problems such as parents' negligence, unkindness and rejection and attach themselves to drug abuse to fulfill their deficiencies and find peace. Present study compared the attachment styles of people with and without drug abuse through employing a casual – comparative method. The research population comprised all the men in the age range of 20 to 35 years old who referred to the self-representing rehab centers located in Tehran province. The sample group included 80 individuals and the control group also included 80 individuals without any history of drug abuse who were matched based on control variables. Research tools included Besharat Adults' attachment questionnaire (2007). In order to analyze the data, T test for independent groups and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. Research results indicated that, there is significant difference between attachment styles of individuals with drug abuse and people without it and people with drug abuse usually use insecure attachment style (ambivalent and avoidance). Based on the research results, employing intervention programs to improve child – parent relationship and psychotherapy specialized for addicted people is suggested to prevent addiction.

Attachment styles, drug abuse, mental health