A Prospective Study of the Impact of an Emotional Intelligence Program on Opioid Relapse and Its Determinants

Addiction is the repeated and increased use of a substance, the deprivation of which gives rise to symptoms of distress and an irresistible urge to use the agent again and which leads also to physical and mental deterioration. Continued opioid misuse can result in syndromes of abuse and dependence and cause disturbances in mood, behavior, and cognition that can mimic other psychiatric disorders. Opioid addiction affects the young and the old, the wealthy and the poor, and the professional and the unemployed.

The concept of emotional intelligent (EI) "the ability to perceive accurately, appraise and express emotion; the ability to access and generate feelings when they facilitate thought; the ability to understand emotion and emotional knowledge; and the ability to regulate emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth", the ability to manage and regulate emotions in an effective manner and ability to be sufficiently optimistic, positive and self- motivated in order to set and achieve goals.

Most drug addicts possess hidden defects in their social skills, and do not have good relations with their peers. The other possible causes of orienting toward drugs are defects in problem solving, stress-management, and prevention from dangerous and impulsive behaviors.