Attachment and Substance Use Disorder: An Interventional Study in an Addictology Day Hospital

Introduction: Substance use disorders represent a major public health issue due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Outpatient care, particularly short-term intensive programs integrating multidisciplinary support and craving management workshops, has demonstrated greater effectiveness than inpatient hospitalization in terms of abstinence, reduction in substance use, and improvement in quality of life (McCarty et al., 2014; Trebalag et al., 2018; Chirokoff et al., 2023). In parallel, the literature suggests a robust association between insecure or disorganized attachment styles and increased vulnerability to the development of addictive disorders (Branstetter et al., 2009; Danielsson et al., 2011; Zhai et al., 2014). Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 7-week attachment-focused therapeutic program in reducing the severity of substance use disorder among adults with insecure or disorganized attachment styles receiving treatment in an addictology day hospital. Method: Through a randomized controlled study, the present research compares two groups: an experimental group receiving a 7-week attachment-focused program (one individual session per week, followed by two hours of weekly group workshops) and a control group receiving the standard care protocol of the addictology day hospital (one 3-hour workshop per week for 7 weeks). Expected outcomes: The findings of this study are expected to demonstrate the relevance of attachment-focused interventions in the treatment of substance use disorders. This research aims to improve addiction care by integrating relational and emotional dimensions into treatment. Finally, it may contribute to the evolution of clinical practices toward a more relationship-centered approach, with anticipated benefits in terms of treatment retention, relapse reduction, and overall healthcare system efficiency.