علی افشاری

Background: Addiction is one of the most common disorders in Iran which occurs due to various psychological causes. It results in problems in the field of social competence and connection with friends and family. It also results in psychiatric disorders and has significant impact on patient’s normal cognitive processes and behavior. the purpose of this study was to compare emotional intelligence and alexithymia among addicts, those with tendency to addiction and healthy people. Method: In this study post event (causal- comparative) method was used. The statistical population consisted of 120 addicted, 120 with tendency to addiction, and 120 healthy people which were chosen based on convenience sampling method. The instruments used in this study consisted of Emotional Intelligence Test (Shut et al, 1998), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (1994) and Iranian Form of Addiction Potential Scale (Zargar, 2006). Data were analyzed based on descriptive statistic, ANOVA and M ANOVA. Results: Results showed that there were significant differences between emotional intelligence and alexithymia. Addicted people had less emotional intelligence, more difficulty in alexithymia and had the worst functionality among others. People at risk of addiction had better functionality in emotional intelligance and alexithymia in comparison to addicted persons. Healthy group had the best emotional intelligence and alexithymia among others. Conclusions: Emotional intelligence and alexithymia affected the drug use.