Relationship between recalled parental bonding, adult attachment patterns and severity of heroin addiction

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Introduction: Due to its association with emotional distress and deficits in coping, insecure attachment presents a strong risk factor for a variety of psychopathologies, including substance use disorders.This study reports on the relationship between recalled parental bonding, adult attachment patterns and severity of heroin addiction.Methods: Data were obtained from 54 individuals with heroin use disorder (HUD) and 54 control groups.Participants with HUD were recruited from an outpatient clinic at the hospital in London.Differences between individuals with HUD and control group in recalled parental bonding and adult attachment style and experiences were examined with independent t-test and binary logistic regression.Relationship between severity of heroin addiction, parental bonding and adult attachment style was investigated with Pearson correlation test and multiple regressions.Results: Groups significantly differed in maternal care (p=0.047),paternal care (p=0.027),paternal protection (p=0.001) and all variables regarding adult attachment style (Close, p<0.0005;Depend, p<0.0005;Anxiety, p=0.0015).Paternal protection (ß=0.096,p=0.009) and Close Score (ß=-0.196,p=0.013) offered a unique and significant contribution to the prediction of heroin addiction.There was significant correlation between addiction severity and father protection (r=0.259,p=0.029),Depend score (r=-0.240,p=0.04) and age (r=-0.25,p=0.034). Conclusion:The study revealed significant differences between individuals with HUD and control group in recalled parental bonding and adult attachment patterns.These findings carry useful implications for addiction treatment and emphasize the importance of building strong therapeutic alliance to help facilitate change.Further research is needed to investigate sensitive predictors of addiction severity.