Lesch typology and temperament in opioid dependence: a cross-sectional study

The first aim of this study is to investigate the impact of different temperaments in opiate dependency patients. The second aim of this study is to define therapy relevant subgroups in opiate addiction for further basic clinical research and therapy.

In the time period from September to November 2010, 101 patients (72 males and 29 females) which fulfilled the diagnosis of opiate dependency according to DSM-IV-TR were recruited consecutively. All patients were in treatment at the Oum El Nour rehabilitation center/Lebanon (Inpatient and Outpatient groups). Lesch Alcoholism Typology modified for assessment of opiate addicts, and the briefTEMPS-M, Arabic version were used.

The organic Type IV group was the most prevalent (48.5%) among the sample followed by the Affective Type III group (41.6%) and the minority represented the two other types (I & II). The organic Type IV group represented the major type in the cyclothymic and anxious temperament. In the contrary the other two groups (I & II) were the minority among the cyclothymics.