The Role of Novelty and Sensation Seeking in Opioid Abuse and Dependence

Personality characteristics have an effective role in tendency toward substance abuse related disorders. Novelty seeking also has a specific role in vulnerability of substance abuse. The main aim of this study was the exact assessment of relationship between opioid abuse and / or dependence with in novelty seeking. This analytical and cross-sectional study was done on 100 subjects who referred to two drug abuse therapeutic centers in Tehran, Iran. Research samples considered of persons with opioid abuse and dependence based on DSM IV–TR diagnostic criteria. Control group considered persons without any substance related disorders. First, all of the subjects fulfilled demographic questionnaires and were interviewed by Semi structured Interview for Substance Related Disorders based on DSM IV–TR, and then Sensation Seeking Scale (Zuckermann) Questionnaire. The mean score for novelty seeking in subjects with opioid abuse and dependence was higher than control group (15.31 against 9.89). Their diference was significant (P<0.05).There was a negative and significant relationship between the age of onset of substance abuse and novelty seeking (P<0/05). Also there was a significant relation between intravenous drug use and higher scores of novelty seeking. Regarding the relationship between substances related disorders and novelty seeking component, respecting the measurability of a reliable and practical psychological test, one can easily screen higher-risk factors in adolescents and perform a quicker primary prevention measures among such groups.