Belonephilia as a model for interpretation of some relapsing features in chronic substance addiction and needle fixation

ABSTRACT

Objective

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how a peculiar behavior, skin puncture-seeking based on “philia,” may support the propensity to recidivism in subjects diagnosed with addictive disorders during treatment.

Method

Sixty-eight patients were interviewed about their behavior concerning the use of needles for the almost exclusive injection of opioids. Their opinions were examined according to the presence or absence of similar behaviors, irrespective of drug injection. The findings were organized and statistically elaborated. For the period of one year, every patient visited for evaluation and for control was asked to discuss the following: 31 surely suffered from this form; 29 did not but were sure of its existence; 8 denied its existence.

Results

The existence of needle fixation was largely confirmed. About half of patients with relapsing intravenous administrations of addictive disorder suffered or had suffered from this form. The results showed that this condition did not significantly increase the risk of relapse or reduce the duration of remission with the same duration of illness. This finding was unexpected because statistical significance was reached only in the difference between the group of “those who know but do not have” and the group of “those who deny.” Every other comparison produced no statistical significance.

Conclusions

Suffering from this form has a non-increased risk compared with not suffering from it. Similarly, having the problem is not riskier than denying its existence. The issue is that those who know about needle fixation, but do not suffer from it, have a significant increase in the risk of relapse and a significant reduction in the number of days of remission in the same illness duration and with the same treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Belonephilia
• opioid use disorder
• relapse in chronic substance addiction
• drug injecting
• needle fixation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.