Differences in the sense of identity between men with alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, and control group.

Abstract

The research on nonclinical samples reports the effect of a weak sense of identity on the use of psychoactive substances, but there has been no research to date on sense of identity in individuals with substance use disorder. The aim of the study was to test differences in sense of identity (SoI) in male patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD; n = 95) and drug use disorder (DUD; n = 95), and men without substance use disorder (SUD; n = 87). Participants (N = 277) completed the Multidimensional Identity Questionnaire. The AUD and DUD respondents had a significantly weaker SoI than the control group, and the duration of SUD was not a significant predictor of any of the dimensions of identity in both clinical groups. SUD can be to some extent an attempt at self-medication and compensating for identity disturbances. The study confirms the occurrence of identity disruptions in patients with SUD, which have been described by clinicians.

Relations between attachment, identity and borderline personality disorder symptom severity in male inpatients with alcohol use disorder

“…Some clinicians have suggested that identity deficits are a common problem in individuals with AUD (Flores, 2004; Kohut, 1977; Levin, 1991). These clinical observations were supported by the report by Wojtynkiewicz et al (2021) who showed that male patients with AUD had a weaker sense of identity than male controls. It seems that the lack of a sense of security in close relationships and of a clear and stable sense of self can motivate various maladaptive behaviours, including excessive alcohol consumption, as a means of escaping the discomfort associated with insecurity and the lack of a coherent and positive self‐concept (Corte & Zucker, 2008).…”

The relationship between childhood maltreatment and social anxiety among Chinese male individuals with drug use disorders: a moderated mediation model of fear of negative evaluation and self-construals

“…In recent years, researchers have begun to focus on the development of the sense of self in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and its relationship with early adverse experiences. Wojtynkiewicz et al (2021) confirmed that individuals with SUD exhibited lower levels of self-identity than the control group. Furthermore, a study conducted on individuals with SUD demonstrated a negative association between insecure attachment and individual self-identity ( Wojtynkiewicz and Sekowski, 2022 ).…”

The self-image of patients with alcohol-use disorder in basic and advanced therapy programmes and those without this disorder: a preliminary study

“…People with a consolidated identity consume significantly less alcohol; they also demonstrate psychological well-being and higher self-esteem as well as lower level of anxiety and depression [10,11]. Patients with AUD, as shown by research results [12], are characterised by greater identity deficits in terms of its lower coherence and stability and have less access to its content compared to those without AUD; also their identity is not related to the abstinence [12] or AUD [13] duration.…”

“…Osoby cechujące się skonsolidowaną tożsamością spożywają istotnie mniej alkoholu, a także przejawiają psychiczny dobrostan i wyższe poczucie własnej wartości oraz mniejsze nasilenie lęku i depresji [10,11]. Osoby uzależnione od alkoholu, jak wskazują wyniki badań [12], charakteryzują się większymi deficytami w zakresie tożsamości: mniejszą jej spójnością i stabilnością oraz mają mniejszy dostęp do jej treści w porównaniu z osobami nieuzależnionymi, a ich tożsamość nie wykazuje związku ani z czasem trwania abstynencji [12], ani uzależnienia [13].…”

“…Our research did not confirm any differences in the sense of specificity and separateness between people with and without AUD, which is in contradiction to previous research [12,13] and requires further analysis. Previous reports funkcję czynnika ochronnego przed nieadaptacyjnymi zachowaniami [26], a trudności w utrzymywaniu poczucia ciągłości i stabilności tożsamości będą wiązać się większym ryzykiem wystąpienia różnych symptomów psychopatologicznych -od depresyjności, lęku oraz myśli i zachowań suicydalnych po wrogość i nadwrażliwość interpersonalną oraz psychotyczność i myślenie paranoidalne [7].…”