Correlation between socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics and anosognosia in patients with synthetic cathinone dependence based on the "Denial of Illness" subscale assessment results

BACKGROUND: The degree to which patients acknowledge their condition in cases of synthetic cathinone dependence is a key factor influencing the success of therapeutic and preventive interventions. However, anosognosia, or the inability of individuals with substance addiction to fully recognize their condition, often hinders complete acknowledgment of the disease. This phenomenon represents a multidimensional construct which includes cognitive, emotional, and motivational-behavioral components. Denial of illness is one of the most critical aspects of anosognosia, alongside lack of awareness, failure to recognize symptoms, and emotional rejection of the disease.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological parameters and the assessment results on the "Denial of Illness" subscale in patients with synthetic cathinone dependence, with the aim of developing more effective rehabilitation programs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 70 male patients diagnosed with synthetic cathinone dependence, with a mean age of 30.44±6.32 years (ranging from 20 to 40 years). The following assessment methods were used: clinical and psychological methods (utilizing a specially developed structured registration form); experimental psychological methods, including Anosognosia in Addiction Questionnaire, Addiction Severity Index, Rehabilitation Potential Assessment Tool, Personality Differential Scale (Factor O), Freiburg Personality Inventory, and Family Environment Scale. Using correlation analysis, key socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics associated with denial of illness were identified.

RESULTS: The study identified key socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological correlates that contribute to increased denial of illness and incllude good family financial status, lack of relationships with parents, high addiction severity index and mental health issues, presence of hepatitis C, a history of a single overdose, low rehabilitation potential, high self-esteem, pronounced personality masculinity, and a subjectively perceived high level of control within the family system.

CONCLUSION: This study may be useful for developing more effective treatment strategies for synthetic cathinone dependence, taking into account various socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics of patients.