Psychopathy in Opium Dependents

A growing number of literature and empirical research document a relationship between drug dependence and criminal offences but few studies have explored antisocial behavior and psychopathy among individuals with substance dependence. The main aim of this study was to assess the relationship between drug dependence, psychopathy and antisocial behavior in a sample of subjects with opium dependence. To do so, 30 male opium dependents were selected from rehabilitation centers in Iran. Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-III) assessed them for antisocial behavior and psychopathy. In addition, craving was assessed by Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ). The result indicated that opium dependence group score high on Psychopathy as compared to normal group. In addition, Psychopathy and craving have a high positive correlation for opium dependants. These findings support this idea that antisocial behavior, substance dependence and Psychopathy often co-occur and all of them are related to craving and duration of dependence.