Self-deception as a mechanism for the maintenance of drug addiction
- José Miguel Martínez-González 1
- Raquel Vilar López 1
- Elisardo Becoña Iglesias 2
- Antonio Verdejo-García 1
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1
Universidad de Granada
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2
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
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ISSN: 0214-9915
Year of publication: 2016
Volume: 28
Issue: 1
Pages: 13-19
Type: Article
More publications in: Psicothema
Abstract
Background: This study was aimed at: (i) examining levels of self-deception in substance dependent individuals following addiction treatment, and (ii) examining the association between participants’ levels of self-deception and (a) personality disorders, (b) addiction-related beliefs, (c) duration of abstinence, and (d) estimates of craving. Method: We administered self-report questionnaires of self-deception and mixtification, and core beliefs related to addiction and craving. The sample comprised 79 outpatients who were consecutively recruited at the Centro Provincial de Drogodependencias in Granada: 87.3% were males and the mean age was 37.68 years old. Thirty-four percent of participants were diagnosed with comorbid personality disorders. Results: Results showed that individuals with substance dependence exhibit elevated scores of self-deception, particularly in the domains of active denial, selective amnesia, projection, and confabulation. Individuals with comorbid personality disorders display greater levels of self-deception compared to individuals without dual diagnosis. Conclusions: Moreover, there is a significant association between levels of self-deception and addiction-related beliefs and craving. In addition, there is a negative association between levels of self-deception and duration of abstinence.
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