Alexithymia in Cocaine Abusers

Abstract

Using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the authors evaluated prevalence and significance of alexithymia in 93 ambulatory cocaine abusers treated with psychotherapy (cognitive‐behavioral relapse prevention) and pharmacotherapy (desipramine), alone and in combination. Thirty‐nine percent of the sample scored in the alexithymic range; alexithymic and nonalexithymic subjects did not differ significantly on demographic variables, severity or pattern of cocaine use, substance‐related problems, or treatment history; alexithymic subjects reported significantly more current distress, but did not differ from nonalexithymic subjects in rates of Axis I disorders or clinician‐rated evaluations; although there was no difference in overall treatment retention or cocaine outcomes, alexithymic subjects had better outcomes when treated with clinical management over cognitive‐behavioral relapse prevention, a finding consistent with the theory that suggests alexithymic patients have difficulty in treatments requiring identification of affects and cognitions.