Examination and Comparison of Alexithymia and Self-Regulation in Patients with Substance Abuse Disorder and Normal Individuals

Alexithymia and self-regulation of patients with substance abuse disorder and normal individuals were compared in an Iranian population. 360 volunteers (180 patients, 180 normals) completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Self- Regulation Inventory (SRI-25). Patients with substance abuse disorder scored significantly higher than normal individuals on alexithymia and the non-clinical sample had higher rates of self-regulation than clinical sample. The relation between alexithymia and substance abuse can be explained in terms of several mechanisms including distance from negative emotions, self- medication, facilitating verbal and emotional communications. Self-regulation dysfunction is supposed to be related to substance abuse disorder through deficit of self-control and affect regulation.