Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
Published on: March 23, 2022
Self-injurious behaviour, traumatic life events and alexithymia among treatment-seeking opiate addicts: prevalence,
Adenekan Oyefeso1, Stephen Brown, Yayganeh Chiang
1Division of Mental Health, Medical School, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom. sgju980@sgul.ac.uk
Objective:
Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of self-injurious behaviour (SIB) and identify the predictors of SIB among treatment-seeking opiate addicts.
Methods:
Participants were 80 consecutively consenting opiate addicts admitted into community and inpatient treatment programmes of a large South London National Health Service (NHS) Mental Health Trust. Substance dependence was diagnosed with ICD-10. The following instruments were administered: self-injurious behaviour questionnaire, traumatic life events questionnaire, Toronto alexithymia scale and substance abuse assessment questionnaire.
Results:
Lifetime SIB prevalence rate was 49% (95% CI=37-60). There was no difference in lifetime SIB rates of male (50%) and female (46%) patients. The predominate function of SIB among opiate addicts was affect-regulation followed by self-punishment. Using a logistic regression, sexual harassment and difficulty identifying feelings were the only independent significant predictors of SIB, with the influence of age of first traumatic event and gender partialled out.
Conclusion:
Given these findings, there is strong evidence to suggest that treatment of opiate addiction should involve routine screening for adult sexual trauma, deficits in emotional regulation and SIB. Where these problems are identified, appropriate psychological intervention should be integral to routine care for affected patients.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Analgesia and Pain Management
Drug Dependence
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Classification of Illness
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...

