The Role of Attachment Style in Substance Use Disorder

Abstract

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental disorder that impacts the brain and behavior. People with SUD keep using the substance(s) despite knowing the harmful consequences. An individuals childhood environment is critical to later development and relationships. An individuals early relationships with their primary caregiver shape and develop their attachment style. There are two general attachment styles: secure and insecure. Additionally, an internal working model is the cognitive framework and representation of ones relationship and attachment with their primary caregiver that becomes a template for future relationships. As research regarding attachment style and substance use and SUDs relationship are scarce, this review investigated and demonstrated that insecure attachment might be a potentially significant factor in substance use and SUD. Subsequently, this review highlighted how the internal working model might also play a role in SUD. Finally, this paper can provide guidance for future intervention and treatment studies for SUD that target attachment style and the internal working model.