The Relationship Between Social Anxiety and Anxiety Sensitivity in Young Adults with Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Abstract

Objective: Recently, it has been observed that the prevalence of substance use in young adulthood has increased. Comorbidity of anxiety disorders is high in individuals with substance use disorder. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and social anxiety in young adults using methamphetamine. Material and Methods: 101 patients diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder were included in the study. Participants were evaluated with sociodemographic data form, Addiction Profile Index (BAPI), Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Inventory (LSAI) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Results: It was determined that 70.3% of the subjects with SUD were diagnosed as SAD. ASI-3, SCL-90-R and BAPI scores were statistically significantly higher in the SAD group than in the non-SAD group (p<0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found in the SAD group between the LSAI-fear/anxiety subscale scores and ADI-3 total (r=0.26, p<0.05), ADI-3 cognitive(r=0.34, p<0.05) and SCL-90-R total scores (r=0.28, p<0.05). No correlation was found between LSAI scores and ADI-3 total and subscale scores in the non-SAD group (p>0.05). Conclusion: It can be suggested that anxiety sensitivity is a common risk factor for both methamphetamine use disorder and social anxiety. Social anxiety symptoms should be questioned in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder and substance addiction treatment should be carried out together with social anxiety disorder treatment.

Keywords

• metamphetamine use disorder
• young adult
• anxiety sensitivity
• social anxiety
• metamfetamin kullanım bozukluğu
• genç erişkin
• anksiyete duyarlılığı
• sosyal anksiyete