Anger and Drug Addiction

Abstract

Differences in the experience, expression, and control of anger were evaluated for young-adult drug addicts and a control group (matched in age, residence, and education) of nondrug users from Southern Italy. The Italian adaptation of Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) was administered with standard instructions to both groups. Drug abusers had significantly higher scores on the STAXI State and Trait scales, the Trait-Angry Temperament and Reaction sub-scales, and the Anger-Out and Total Anger Expression scales, and significantly lower scores on Anger-Control. These findings indicate that the drug abusers experienced anger more often than the nonusers, were more likely to express anger toward other persons or objects in the environment, and had less control of their angry feelings.