P03-203 - Specifics Of Addiction In Women - Heredity And Interpersonal Relations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to point out to the significance of heredity and emotional bonding in genesis and development of addiction in women.

Method

Sample of alcohol and opiate female addicts (30 patients in each group) plus control group (30 women) with no psychiatric diagnosis were questioned with the Semi-structured interview Addiction Severity Index - ASI (T.McLellan, J.Cacciola 1982).

Results

There is a statistically significant difference among the groups compared for hereditary factors in addiction. In the group of opiate female addicts, a positive hereditary factor is present in 62.5%, in alcohol female addicts - in 50.0%, and in the control group - in 13.3%.

Alcohol addicted subjects do not differ significantly from opiate addicted subjects in terms of living with someone who has a drinking problem. However there is a statistically significant difference between opiate addicted subjects who live with someone with a drug problem (62.5%) and alcohol addicted subjects (13.3%).

Conclusion

Heredity is an important risk factor in addiction. A problem with chemical addiction in families of addicts, as a rule, presents as a multi-generational problem. Opiate addiction, in particular, starts and is maintained in a relationship with either a close family member or a partner.