الفهرس 
heroin substance useOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 256 |  |  |
| | | from | 256 | | |
Abstract
Background: There has been an explosion of research on the potential
benefits of the social neuropeptide oxytocin for a number of mental
disorders including substance use disorders. Personality traits and
perceived childhood maltreatment are of the predictors and indications of
development of substance use disorder. Many studies have discussed its
effect on personality traits and relation with childhood trauma and how
both affect the addictive process.
Objectives: Evaluation of the possible difference in oxytocin basal level
between heroin users and healthy controls and the potential association of it
with the basic dimensions of personality traits and perceived childhood
adverse experiences in heroin users.
Methods: A sample of 40 heroin dependent patients who fully meet the
fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM5) for heroin dependence, and 40 healthy control matched in age, sex
were assessed and compared as regarding serum oxytocin level by ELISA,
personality traits assessed using Temperament and character inventory-
revised (TCI- R) scale, and childhood adverse events assessed using
childhood trauma questionnaire and severity of addiction was assessed
using Addiction Severity Index scale(ASI) for the heroin users only .
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the
patient‘s group and the control group as regarding the serum oxytocin
level: the control group had a higher level (139.9 pg/ml) and lower mean of
oxytocin level among cases (68.6pg/ml) with p-value <0.001. There was a
statistically significant negative correlation with p-value <0.05 between
oxytocin level and each Novelty seeking, and Harm avoidance , in addition
to a positive correlation between oxytocin level and each of reward
dependence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness items of (TCR-R) ,
among cases. There was no statistical significant difference in oxytocin
level with p-value >0.05 between different Childhood Trauma
Questionnaire (CTQ) items among cases.
Conclusion: the interaction between serum oxytocin level, personality
traits, childhood trauma should be considered when dealing with heroin
dependent patients as they are affected and affected by heroin dependence.
Key words: Oxytocin, Personality traits, Childhood Trauma and Heroin
Addiction.