Craving and psychological injury, with the mediating role of codependency and self-control in patients undergoing maintenance therapy

Context: Craving is a strong and irresistible urge for abusing drugs. If the drug urge is not met, psychological injuries and physical suffering such as weakness, anorexia, anxiety, insomnia, aggression and depression would be manifested.

Aim: The aim of this study was structural equation modelling (SEM) of craving and psychological injury, with the mediating role of co-dependency and self-control in patients undergoing maintenance therapy.

Settings and Design: This is a descriptive analytic study. All patients undergoing maintenance therapy in outpatient departments of Sari in 2018 were evaluated.

Materials and Methods: 400 patients were selected randomly based on the inclusion criteria. The questionnaires on craving, psychological injury, co-dependency, and self-control were used for data collection.

Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analysed using SEM in particular regression equations. SPSS and AMOS were used for the analysis of the collected data.

Results: The results indicated that the value of direct effect of craving on psychological injury was 0.207. Moreover, the value of indirect effect of craving on psychological injury with the mediating role of codependency was 0.114. The total effect was 0.321, i.e., P < 0.001. As a result, the effect of mediating variable of co-dependency in the relationship between craving and psychological injury was significant. The value of the direct effect of self-control was 0.134; the value of the indirect effect of craving on psychological injury with the mediating role of self-control was 0.186; i.e., P < 0.001.

Conclusion: Craving, co-dependency and self-control are important factors causing psychological injury in patients undergoing maintenance therapy.