ANGER AND DRUG-ADDICTION

Differences in the experience, expression, and control of anger were e valuated for young-adult drug addicts and a control group (matched in age, residence, and education) of nondrug users from Southern Italy. T he Italian adaption of Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inve ntory (STAXI) was administered with standard instructions to both grou ps. Drug abusers had significantly higher scores on the STAXI State an d Trait scales, the Trait-Angry Temperament and Reaction subscales, an d the Anger-Out and Total Anger Expression scales, and significantly l ower scores on Anger-Control. These findings indicate that the drug ab users experienced anger more often than the nonusers, were more likely to express anger toward other persons or objects in the environment, and had less control of their angry feelings.