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This study analyzed, in a Spanish sample, the differences in emotional processing in patients diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) and patients with a dual diagnosis (DD), and tested whether alterations in emotional regulation were related to the severity of dependence and consumption during treatment. A descriptive follow-up study was conducted with 88 adult outpatients (83% men) who were receiving treatment for alcohol and cocaine SUD. Of the sample, 43.2% presented dual diagnosis according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Emotional processing was assessed with the IAPS, and dependence severity with the SDSS. Consumption was determined with self-reports and toxicological tests. Regression analyses revealed that the DD group had more difficulties in identifying the valence and arousal of the images than patients with SUD. Patients with DD presented more difficulty in identifying images in which valence was manipulated, but not in those in which arousal was manipulated. Cocaine use during treatment was associated with difficulties in identifying unpleasant (U = 734.0; p <.05) and arousing (U = 723.5; p <.05) images. Although these results are preliminary, findings suggest that impaired emotional processing is aggravated in dual patients, although it may be a common transdiagnostic factor in SUD and other comorbid mental disorders. Findings highlight the importance of evaluating emotional regulation to better understand its possible role in the maintenance of substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the relationship between personality traits and substance use is well documented, no studies have analyzed this relationship in a sample of polysubstance users who attend festivals. Moreover, few studies have explored how personality traits could contribute to the use of harm reduction strategies for minimizing drug-related harms. Objective: To determine the relationship between personality traits, poly-substance use and harm reduction strategies among polysubstance-using music festival attendees. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was employed with 1226 participants (mean age = 26.8; females = 32.6%) who self-identified as polysubstance users (operationalized as multiple past-year drug use) and music festival attendees. The Substance Use Risk Profiles Scale was used to assess four personality traits. Information on the use of 15 substances and nine harm reduction strategies was collected. Results: Higher levels of impulsivity, sensation seeking and hopelessness were associated with both an increased likelihood of using different substances, and extensive polysubstance use. Increases in impulsivity scores were related to lower odds of frequently using the nine strategies explored. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that among polysubstance users, the probability of using drugs and harm reduction strategies is linked to personality traits, which could inform the design of interventions for reducing drug-related harms among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]