Early Maladaptive Schemas in Opiate and Stimulant Users

Objectives: early maladaptive schemas are valid representations of unpleasant childhood experiencesthat shape a person’s viewpoints of the world, and lead to clinical symptoms such as depression,personality disorders, and substance abuse. given the importance of this matter, we conducted a researchon early maladaptive schemas in substance-abusers, to allow more appropriate preventive measures to betaken with a better understanding of the issue. methods: for this descriptive-comparative study, 115 patients (91 opiate users and 24 stimulant users)visiting drug addiction treatment centers were selected through convenience sampling from persons whowere admitted to substance abuse treatment centers (methadone maintenance therapy centers), addictiontreatment camps and self-help groups and narcotics anonymous (na) of yasuj. data were collectedusing a demographic information questionnaire and young’s schema questionnaire-short form (sq-sf). data analysis was done with anova and t-tests. results: the results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between users of opiates and stimulants interms of vulnerability to harm or illness, enmeshment, subjugation, emotional inhibition, entitlement,insufficient self-control/self-discipline, emotional  deprivation, social isolation, defectiveness,failure/shame, and dependence. the average score of the stimulant-users was higher than that of opiate-users in all the schemas except for the dimensions of abandonment, mistrust, and unrelenting standards. discussion: stimulant users have more early maladaptive schemas and are at a greater risk ofpsychological vulnerability. early maladaptive schemas can be used by clinicians and researchers as apsychopathology and treatment method for substance dependence disorder.