The relationship between self-harming behavior, suicide attempt history adn defense mechanisms in patients with opioid-use disorder.

This study showed that immature defense styles were used more frequently by patients with a history of SHB and SA, and a history of SA was associated with higher anxiety and depression scores; SHB history was used as a kind of coping mechanism and was not associated with anxiety and depression scores in OUD. Association of a history of SHB or SA with the use of immature defense mechanisms may require consideration of the application of therapeutic programs that include a more effective use of mature defenses in addition to specific pharmacotherapies for patients with OUD. Therapeutic success rates could be increased if it is considered during planning pharmacotherapy that a history of SA is related with high anxiety and depression scores.