Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract Background & Objectives: In substance abuse treatment, attention to the personality traits and coping strategies need to a special consideration. This study aimed to compare between personality traits and coping strategies in substance dependent men and non-dependent group. Materials & Methods: The samples of study include all men in Bojnurd that referred to addiction rehabilitation centers. 100 substance dependent men were compared with 100 men without substance dependency. Evaluation tools included The NEO-PTR Questionnaire and Lazarus and Folkman coping strategies questionnaire. Results: Patients with substance dependency showed significant higher neuroticism and lower extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness in comparison with control group (P <0.001) .There was no significant difference in flexibility. Also addicted patients showed higher use emotion-focused coping strategies and lower use problem-focused coping strategies in comparison with control group (P = 0.265) Conclusion: Although patients with substance dependency have different personality characteristics compared with non dependent group and these properties have a significant effect on their copying strategies, but copying strategies could change and improve by training and need to special consideration in treatment programs.