Addictive Personality Research Articles

Grazing and food addiction: Associations between varied patterns of overconsumption and addictive-like eating.

Food addiction (FA) research has primarily concentrated on binge eating as a symptom of this condition. However, FA may encompass various overeating behaviours, including compulsive grazing - the repetitive consumption of small amounts of food with loss of control. This study extends our previous research by including a clinical sample to investigate whether compulsive grazing exists in a population with higher prevalence and severity of FA. It also examines whether weight or sex moderates the severity or frequency of FA. Adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years with obesity were recruited from a weight-management clinic (n=437). Participants completed an online questionnaire to assess various eating behaviours (binge eating, compulsive grazing, reward-based eating) and related personality measures (impulsivity, addictive personality traits). Multiple and logistic regression modelling were used with the Yale Food Addiction Scale symptom count and diagnosis as the dependent variables, respectively. A chi-square test of independence and an analysis of variance were used to determine sex differences. Compulsive grazing was a significant factor in FA diagnosis and symptom severity, confirming earlier work. Binge eating was a significant factor in FA symptom severity. Additionally, females from a weight-management clinic sample were more likely to receive an FA diagnosis than females from the general population. No sex differences were found in males or in the symptom score option for FA. These findings suggest that various compulsive overeating patterns encompass FA. Individuals with obesity and co-morbid FA may require specialized treatments, which may benefit from sex-specific differentiations.

Bioinformatics-driven untargeted metabolomic profiling for clinical screening of methamphetamine abuse.

Amphetamine-type stimulants are very common, and their usage is becoming a very big social problem all over the world. Thousands of addicts encounter several health problems including mental, metabolic, behavioral and neurological disorders. In addition to these, there are several reports about the elevated risk of tendency on committing criminal cases by addicted persons. Hence, methamphetamine addiction is not only an individual health problem but also a social problem. In our study, we aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of chronic usage of methamphetamine via untargeted metabolomics approach. 38 plasma samples were carefully collected and extracted for untargeted metabolomics assay. A liquid-liquid extraction was performed to get as much metabolite as possible from the samples. After the extraction procedure, samples were transferred into vials and they were evaluated via time of flight mass spectrometry instrument. Significantly, altered metabolites were identified by the fold analysis and Welch's test between the groups. 42 different compounds were annotated regarding to data-dependent acquisition method. Pathway analysis were also performed to understand the hazardous effect of methamphetamine on human body. It has been reported that drug exposure may affect several metabolic pathways for amino acids, fats, energy metabolism and vitamins. An alternative bioinformatic model was also developed and validated in order to predict the chronic methamphetamine drug users in any criminal cases. This generated model passes the ROC curve analysis and permutation test and classify the controls and drug users correctly by evaluating the metabolic alterations between the groups.

Evaluation of left ventricular systolic function in opium users by strain echocardiography.

Heart failure is known as a health problem in the world due to its mortality and burdens on the health care system. Studies remain controversial about the effect of opium usage on systolic heart function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare systolic left ventricular function in opium users with non-addict people by strain echocardiography and its association with serum apelin level. This case-control study was conducted in 2022 at Shafa Hospital in Kerman, Iran, on 50 opium users who referred to the addiction treatment centres and had no history of other substance usage. The addiction is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and a history of opium consumption for at least 3years. Fifty healthy people (non-opium users) who were matched in terms of age and sex were enrolled as a control group. Demographic information of the participants, including age, gender and amount of opium usage, was recorded by questionnaire. Citrated blood samples were taken from all participants in the study, and serum apelin was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. They underwent transthoracic echocardiography by an expert cardiologist using the same device (Philips Affiniti 50). Echocardiographic systolic parameters have been recorded and compared between the two groups. In this study, 100 participants, including 50 opium users and 50 non-opium users (as a control group), were investigated. The mean age was 36.4±5.08 in the opium users' group and 34.14±7.2 in the control group. As both groups were matched, there were 8 (16%) women and 42 (84%) men in each of the two groups. The mean amount of ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were significantly lower in opium users than in the control group (P<0.001). The results also demonstrated that the serum level of apelin in the addicted persons was lower when compared with the non-addicted persons (3.4 vs. 9.7; P<0.001). Evaluation of systolic left ventricular function in opium users by strain echocardiography showed that opium affects the systolic function of the heart, as observed by a significant reduction in EF and GLS. So opium usage can be considered a risk factor for heart failure and needs more attention in preventive cardiology.

The influence of the built environment on drug misuse and abuse

Drug misuse and overdoses (DMO) continue to rise in the United States and around the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown brought America to a standstill, the drug overdose epidemic took a sharp turn for the worse. Poorly built environments have been said to pose greater risks for substance use. The inequitable race and socioeconomic status distribution of the built environment might be tipping drug overdose and deaths toward minority populations. This review examined the contribution of the built environment to drug misuse and overdose to identify further research and policy needs. Databases like PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed empirical studies in the English language published from 2010 to March 2021. MeSH search terms were built environment, overdose, drug, and drug overdose. Using the PRISMA flow diagram of article selection, title, and abstract screening plus text narrative synthesis of included articles were done. The built environment features making it more conducive to initiating and maintaining DMO included disinvestment, geographical context (urban versus rural), spatial characteristics of the built environment, easy access to drugs, low access to interventions, and built-environment-associated environmental and social stressors. Built environment features play some roles in drug misuse problems. Policies and programs are needed that place the built environment at the centre of health, drug overdose prevention, and harm reduction, provide increased treatment facilities for addicted persons, ensure stricter opioid prescription measures, and address poverty as well as hopelessness due to disinvestment.

The characteristics of prevention of drug addiction and narcotism in municipal formation of city of Novorossiysk

The drug addiction is one of most serious deviant behavior seriously harming both addict person and one's relationship. The drug using is considered as deviant because means using substances from non-legal turn-over or applied in non-medical purposes. Then follows degradation of health of person and one's positioning into physical and mental dependence on them. With time, personal dependence on drugs becomes stronger. The addicted person looses possibility to experience joy from natural stimuli and more difficulties in controlling drug using appear. Persons using drugs frequently commit crimes to have money to maintain one's dependence. Therefore, issues of prevention narcotism and struggle with drug addiction are fundamental ones for whole system of prevention in Novorossiysk. The article presents analysis of implemented activities and adopted measures of struggle with drug addiction in population of Novorossiysk.

PH-switchable hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent-based liquid phase microextraction for detecting morphine and codeine in whole blood samples followed by HPLC-UV

Prescription opioids are used in clinics for reducing pain, but overdoses and addiction can lead to poisoning. Herein, we report a rapid, straightforward, and cost-effective hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent-based liquid phase microextraction process with HPLC-UV detection for extracting and analyzing morphine and codeine from whole blood samples. The procedure involved synthesizing seven deep eutectic solvents and investigating their pH switchability. Deep eutectic solvents with pH-switchable properties were employed as extractants. Under optimal conditions, the relative standard deviation of 50 μg/L of morphine and codeine in blood samples was 5.4–6.2 % for inter-day measurements and 3.7–4.3 % for intra-day measurements. For both analytes, the calibration graphs showed a linear range of 1.5–300 μg/L and a limit of detection of 0.5 μg/L. The enrichment factor and the extraction recovery of morphine and codeine were 152–––166 and 76 − 83 %, respectively. The results revealed that the addicted person’s blood sample contained both morphine and codeine. The real blood samples spiked with varying doses of codeine and morphine had relative recoveries ranging from 91.8 to 107.0 %, suggesting the method is suitable for real sample analysis.

Clinical features of auto-aggressive behavior in borderline personality disorder: a review of current research

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by severe auto-aggression (AA) in the form of suicide attempts (SA) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The purpose of this review was to describe the current knowledge about the clinical features of self-harming behavior in borderline personality disorder. Materials and methods: The eLibrary, PubMed, CNKI, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles on the relevant search query for the last 11 years. As a result, 28 articles were selected and summarized (a total of 7,284 BPD patients and 134 controls were included). Results: Suicidal attempts occur in 75 % of BPD patients, and NSSIs — in 90 %. AA behavior varies with age: adolescents tend to NSSIs, while adults more often undertake SAs. Depending on the type of clinical dynamics, AA in BPD may be impulsive, demonstrative, associated with comorbid addiction, or occur in the context of depersonalization. Among BPD symptoms, feelings of chronic emptiness, avoidance of abandonment, emotional instability, and identity disturbance are most commonly associated with auto-aggression. Risk factors for self-harming behavior in BPD include traumatic childhood events, especially physical and sexual abuse, and stress caused by microsocial conflict. Men with BPD and AA more often have comorbid narcissistic, antisocial, paranoid, and schizotypal personality disorders, as well as substance use disorders. Women with borderline personality disorder and AA tend to suffer more from addictive and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders, as well as eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa. In conclusion, self-harming behavior in BPD has many clinical features and can manifest in different forms. It is always necessary to study the predominant clinical manifestations, risk factors, and comorbid disorders to be able to assess the severity of AA.

Loneliness among Substance Abusers of Type A and B Personality

The present research aimed to explore feelings of loneliness among substance abusers of type A and B personality. The study shows the difference between substance abusers and normal individuals. The sample consisted of N= 120 participants, substance abusers (60) and normal individuals (60). Their age range was 25-40 years. Only male substance abusers were included in the study. Demographic variables were also analyzed. The study shows the difference between substance abusers and normal individuals. Findings show that normal individuals have less loneliness level in type B as compared to drug-addicted type A personality. It was also found that loneliness is directly correlated to type A personality and indirectly correlated to type B personality of drug addicts.

Post-traumatic growth in schizophrenia and alcohol addiction

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to look at the relationship of post-traumatic growth with both type and intensity of trauma in two clinical groups: schizophrenia patients and alcohol-addicted individuals who have had various experiences of a traumatic nature. Material and methods: The subject matter is an analysis of how personal variables (personality traits, self-efficacy, character strengths) can influence the post-traumatic growth in the samples. The study verifies also what events were perceived by the patients as traumatic and life-changing, as well as what differences could be observed in the level of post-traumatic growth in the samples. The goal of the analysis is to find which group has recorded a higher level of post-traumatic growth overall and on specific subscales. Results: The obtained results show that the analysed groups differ in the levels of post-traumatic growth; the highest level was observed among the alcohol-addicted individuals in the scope of their changed perception of self. Post-traumatic growth can be linked, above all, to such personality traits as extraversion and prudence, but only in the group of alcohol-addicted individuals. The largest number of links was found between post-traumatic growth and character strengths, and in this case the quality and quantity of these links were attributed mostly to the group of addicted persons. Conclusions: Further research and advancement of the knowledge would be necessary in order to make post-traumatic growth in mentally-ill persons a milestone of their recovery; moreover, further studies would be helpful for the adaptation of psychological interventions aimed at achieving post-traumatic growth. Keywords: schizophrenia, alcohol addiction, post-traumatic growth

Problematic overstudying, Big Five personality, and music performance anxiety: associations with well-being and GPA.

Problematic overstudying is a compulsive and pathological overinvolvement in studying leading to harm and considerable functional impairments. It is conceptualized as "study addiction," a precursor to work addiction. It has been investigated within the addictive behaviours framework in general populations of students for over a decade. A previous study analysed the problem among young musicians as a particularly vulnerable group. It found some important differences in potential personality risk factors among music academy students compared to general populations of students and showed an important role of social anxiety. The current study aimed to validate these findings in a separate larger sample and extend them by investigating the role of music performance anxiety (MPA). The study was conducted among 213 students of music academies. Valid and reliable measures of study addiction, MPA, Big Five personality and well-being were used. The results showed that MPA played a similar role as social anxiety in terms of being a predictor, mediator, and moderator of the main replicated effects supporting the hypothesised mechanisms regulating study addiction. However, extraversion was not associated with study addiction in multiple hierarchical regression analysis, but conscientiousness and neuroticism were. Study addiction was associated with indicators of decreased well-being, above and beyond MPA, and personality. These results show that MPA plays an analogous role to social anxiety and that the role of Big Five personality in study addiction among young musicians requires further investigation due to inconsistent findings.

Life meanings and values of drug addicts with different durations of remission as components of the psychology of sustainable behavior

The relevance of this study lies in the fact that it draws attention to some factors of successful recovery of drug addicts, those resources that help to maintain stable remission, namely the peculiarities of the value-sense sphere of addictive personality both at the initial stages of recovery and in stable remission. The aim of the study is to investigate the value-sense sphere of drug addicts with different durations of remission in the determination of possible positive changes.The object of the study was 150 drug addicts at different stages of remission. As psychological tools we used the test of life-meaning orientations, adapted by D. A. Leontiev, “Methodology for the study of the system of life meanings” developed by V. Y. Kotlyakov; the method “Value orientations” (M. Rokich). The average data were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis H-criterion. Significant differences in the peculiarities of the value-sense sphere of drug addicts at different stages of remission were revealed. The revealed features should be taken into account when conducting psychological and preventive measures among persons with addictive behavior.

Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı ve Materyalist Kişilik Tipi İlişkisinde, Kişisel Göreli Yoksunluk ve Sürekli Kaygı Faktörlerinin Aracılık Rollerinin Analizi

In the study, the relationship between social media addiction, personal relative deprivation perception, trait anxiety and materialistic personality type was examined. The significant role of the anxiety factor indicates that the materialistic personality type develops in accordance with the terror management theory; the meaningless role of this factor will support that belonging and social acceptance-exculsion concepts are determinative in the relationship between social media use and materialistic personality. As a result of the analyzes (N=309), it is determined that the trait anxiety factor did not play a mediating role in the relationship between social media addiction and materialistic personality type, while the personal relative deprivation perception played a full mediator role. When the correlation of the materialistic personality type with the statements related to belongings was examined, it was determined that the materialist personality type did not create a significant correlation with the perception of social loneliness, but with the perception of unhappiness in romantic relationships. Therefore, it has been accepted that the effect of social media addiction on the materialistic personality type develops entirely through the perception of personal relative deprivation and in relation to the dissatisfaction experienced in romantic relationships.

A survey of international addiction researchers' views on implications of brain-based explanations of addiction and the responsibility of affected persons.

Aim: To complement existing stakeholder surveys by exploring addiction researchers' views on the implications of brain-based explanations of addiction and the responsibilities of addicted persons. Methods: A total of 190 researchers from 29 countries (13.2%) participated in a LimeSurvey. Their perspectives on implications of brain-based explanations of addiction were explored qualitatively using open-ended questions. In addition, respondents could indicate their views on the responsibility of addicted individuals for their condition and actions using a Likert scale and a free-text field ("mixed methods light"). Qualitative analyses inductively identified the most frequent themes and deductively assessed the overall impact (positive, negative or both/ambivalent). Quantitative analyses included frequencies and proportions. Results: The major themes mentioned were medicalisation and the neglect of other factors, better treatment options and access, (reduced) stigma and (impaired) agency of affected persons. The overall evaluation yielded 46% positive, 33% negative and 16% ambivalent views. Approximately 60% of the participants considered addicted persons to be responsible for their condition and 80% for their actions. Conclusions: According to researchers, a brain-based approach to addictions has positive and negative implications. In particular, the neglect of factors other than biomedical seems to be of concern. Thus, a re-consideration of research priorities as well as affected individuals' agency and role in treatment and care seems warranted.

Holiday Internet Usage Time and the Risk of Internet Addiction Tendency among Working Adults in their 30s in Japan

Introduction: A positive association between Internet usage time and Internet addiction among adolescents and adults has been frequently reported; however, studies of working adults focusing on weekdays and holidays are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the association between Internet usage time and psychometric tests among working adults in their 30s, focusing on weekdays and holidays. Methods: A total of 129 workers aged 30–39 years participated in this study. Participants completed a questionnaire and interview regarding psychometric tests, including Internet usage time, Internet addiction tendency, smartphone addiction tendency, depression tendency, and personality traits. A correlation analysis focusing on differences between weekdays and holidays was conducted. Results: The scores on Internet addiction scales are weakly positively correlated with holiday Internet usage time. The scores of smartphone addiction scales are also weakly positively correlated with the holiday Internet time. No correlation was found between weekdays Internet usage time and scores on Internet addiction scales. Conclusions: Internet usage time during holidays is associated with Internet addiction tendency among the working adult samples. Holiday Internet usage time could be a useful indicator of risk of Internet addiction. Our pilot findings provide clues to the mental health affected by the Internet, especially among adults.

Family Profile of Substance Addicted Individuals

Today, substance use and related risks are increasing day by day, and the influence of the family on substance addiction is important. Studies show that the socioeconomic characteristics, structure, and relationship patterns between family members and substance use affect the families of substance addicted individuals in various ways, that the attitude and behavior of the family towards the substance are effective in the substance use of individuals, especially in adolescence, or that the breakdown of the family for various reasons is effective in the orientation of individuals towards substance use. The presence of a substance addicted member in the family negatively affects the functioning and health of the family. In this study, the profiles of the families of substance addicts living in Sakarya were revealed by adopting a descriptive screening model, and it was aimed to make some concrete suggestions about this by examining the effects of family characteristics on addicted people. Accordingly, 147 people who reside in Sakarya and have substance addicted family members were reached by snowball sampling and survey questions were asked. The data obtained were analyzed with basic statistics and chi-square tests in the SPSS program. According to the findings obtained from the research, it was observed that the economic level of the families of substance addicted individuals was at the lower-middle income level, they did not have regular income, they were the middle-aged, there was no one in the family who had used drugs before, and family relationships and communication were positive. Families think that peer influence is highly effective in substance addiction. When families learn that the addicted person is using drugs, they are shaken economically and psychologically and experience a loss of social reputation. It is noteworthy that family members trained on substance addiction are highly aware of addiction and have a hortative attitude towards the addicted individual.

Possibilities of application of cognitive-behavioral therapy to achieve remission in alcohol dependence

Topicality. The problem of abuse of psychoactive substances and the search for effective means for its treatment remains an acute topic in modern psychiatry and narcology. To date, cognitive-behavioral therapy when applied to patients with alcohol addiction is one of the most promising methods of treatment. This method of treatment is aimed at preventing and minimizing relapse. The purpose of this work was to study the possibilities of using cognitive-behavioral therapy to achieve remissions in alcohol addiction. Materials and methods: modern literary scientific data were analyzed regarding the issues of indicators of the effectiveness of alcohol addiction treatment, understanding the concept of remission and its prognostic factors, the personality profile of addicted persons, and the direct application of cognitive-behavioral therapy to achieve remissions in alcohol addiction. The results. The analysis of literature data showed that the duration, stability and quality of remissions are important for evaluating the effectiveness of alcohol addiction treatment. When a remission is established, such factors as the duration of anti-alcohol therapy, stress resistance, personality profile of the addict and supportive therapy are of prognostic value. Cognitive-behavioral theory views alcohol addiction as an inadequate way to cope with problems or needs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for alcohol addiction uses a standard set of methods, educational coping strategies that take into account the identification and specificity of situations when coping is inconsistent, as well as training, modeling, role-playing and behavioral rehearsals. These methods are intended not only to increase the level of cognitive and behavioral coping, but also to facilitate the perception of external influences and improve adaptation in stressful situations. Learning coping skills to overcome their deficit, eliminating factors that can prevent overcoming a breakdown and ensuring their adequate application in practice is a necessary condition for the effective use of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The methods of this type of therapy make it possible to show the patient that social learning plays an important role in the development of rigid thinking and maladaptive behavior and are designed to develop and strengthen self-control. Conclusions. Thus, the analysis of literary sources showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy for addicts is a short-term, structured method of psychotherapy aimed at developing the skills of controlling addictive behavior in patients with alcohol addiction in the conditions of forming and maintaining remission.

University Students' Gaming and Gambling Behaviors, Related Factors, and the Relationship Between Gaming and Gambling.

The purpose of this study was to investigate university students' gaming and gambling behaviors, the factors that relate to these behaviors, and the connection between gaming and gambling behaviors. The study was designed as survey research, which is one of the quantitative research methods. The sample for the study consists of 232 students who are continuing their education at a state university in Turkey. The data of the research were collected through the Student Information Form, the Game Addiction Scale, and the South Oaks Gambling Screen. While the rate of students with problematic gambling behavior was 9.1% (n = 21), the rate of students with problematic gambling behavior was 14.2% (n = 33). Gaming behavior showed significant differences according to gender, age, the feeling of success, leisure time sufficiency, sleep proficiency, smoking, and alcohol use. Gambling behavior showed significant differences according to gender, family type, family income, the feeling of success, level of happiness, the experience of psychological distress, social relationship satisfaction, smoking, and alcohol use, and the presence of an addicted person in the social environment. Gender, perception of success, leisure proficiency, and alcohol use were variables associated with both gambling and gaming. There was a positive and significant relationship between gaming and gambling behavior (r = .264, p < .001). As a result, it is seen that the variables related to gaming and gambling behavior differ rather than partnership. Considering the weak relationship between gaming and gambling behavior, it is difficult to put forward sharp views on the relationship between gaming and gambling.

Cross-sectional survey of smartphone addiction and its relationship with personality traits among medical students.

To understand the current smart phone addiction tendency (SPAT) in medical university students and relationship with personality traits. A cross-sectional study from September 2019 to December 2019 selected medical students from Hubei University of China by cluster sampling. Questionnaires were administered to measure smart phone addiction tendency and personality traits. The prevalence of SPAT among 972 medical students was 24.3%. The prevalence was higher in students from one-child family than those with siblings (28.2% vs. 21.7%), and higher among students from urban families than those from rural ones (29.2% vs. 19.7%).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that extraversion and neuroticism were correlated with SPAT, with odds ratio and 95% confidence interval being equal to 1.070 (1.011-1.133) and 0.838 (0.795-0.844), respectively. The prevalence of SPAT was high in medical college students. Extraversion and neuroticism were risk and protective factors for SPAT. Long duration phone use and a low number of physical workouts predicted high SPAT.

Addiction, Waste(d) Labor, and the Debate of the Carpenter's Tools

Addiction, Waste(d) Labor, and the <i>Debate of the Carpenter's Tools</i>

Hollow carbon spheres decorated by silver nanocubes as the advanced aptasensing interface for sensitive and selective tracing of methamphetamine in human biofluids

This study presents a sensitive and selective aptasensor for the detection of trace amounts of MAMP. The aptasensing principle relies on modifying the planar screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with the synthesized nanostructures of N-doped hollow carbon spheres (N-HCSs) and silver nanocubes (AgNCs). The nanocomposite has presented high active surface area and more electron transfer ability than bare SPCE surface. Furthermore, AgNCs in the nanocomposite acts as a linker to load high amounts of aptamer (Apt) biocaptures on the modified SPCE surface. By MAMP incubation on the embedded interface sensing, Apt arm wrapped around MAMP and the more space barrier induced on the surface and reduced the electrochemical signal of ferro/ferri cyanide as the anion redox probe. The aptasensor affinity toward MAMP led to a wide linear dynamic range (LDR) value from 1.00 pM to 50.00 mM with a low limit of detection (LOD) value of 3.33 × 10−4 pM compared to other electrochemical sensors with no significant interference from other common species. The aptasensor efficiency for MAMP measurement was satisfactory evaluated in some spiked and non-spiked serum, urine and saliva samples from a healthy and addicted person for MAMP. These acceptable results may promise the reliability of the proposed methodology for routine MAMP tests, especially saliva monitoring as the non-invasive analysis. The sensitivity and selectivity of the aptasensor, which is a bonus to accurate and valid discrimination of MAMP, holds great promise to provide technical support for routine analysis of real-world clinical samples.