The Interplay Between Emotional Intelligence, Tramadol Dependence, and Comorbid Personality Disorder

Objectives: Various studies have proven the presence of disturbances in emotional processing among patients with substance abuse. In the current study, we aimed to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), tramadol dependence, and comorbid personality disorders. Methods: Thirty adult male patients with tramadol dependence and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the current study. Participants were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis I diagnosis (SCID-I) and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis-II Personality Disorders (SCID-II). EI was assessed using the Schutte SelfReport Emotional Intelligence Test. Results: With respect to the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test score, there was a statistically significant difference between patients with tramadol dependence and the control group in all domains of EI (P<0.001). With respect to the SCID-II, the most common personality disorders reported among patients with tramadol dependence were borderline personality disorder (13, 43.3%), followed by depressive personality disorder (12, 40%) and narcissistic personality disorder (10, 33.3%). There was no statistically significant difference between common personality disorders and all domains of EI. Conclusion: The susceptibility to tramadol dependence is most likely to underlie disturbances in EI, suggesting that treatment strategies targeting the management of emotions would reduce this risk.