DIFFERENCES IN CIRCADIAN RHYTHMICITY IN OPIOID ADDICTS AND ABSTINENT SUBJECTS

The research reported in the present paper analyzes the circadian rhyt hmicity (morning-afternoon patterns) in relation to abstinence and opi oid use (heroin and methadone). Participants were 35 subjects with an abuse history of at least six years, and a mean age of 25.4 years. At the time of the study 19 participants were abstinent while the other 1 6 continued using opioids. Results revealed differences between the tw o groups. Abstinent participants showed an intermediate circadian patt ern while the users were classified as vespertinal. Data confirmed fin dings of numerous studies conducted on morning-afternoon patterns, psy chotropic drug use and healthy lifestyles, such as those reported by A dan (1994) and by Tankova, Adan & Buela-Casal (1994). Finally some con siderations analyze the role of lifestyles and rhythmicity on the reha bilitation of opioid abusers.