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Substance use disorder is conceptualized as a chronic relapsing condition where relapse is usually defined as the return to problematic substance use following treatment. An issue of great importance is the identification of the predictors of relapse and the development of treatments that may help prevent relapse. One of the strongest predictors of relapse is craving. The purpose of the present study was to study the effect of anxiety, anxiety sensitivity and coping motives on craving. Participants (n=74) were male opiate users recruited from a semi-private clinic providing detoxification and treatment services for substance users. Anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, coping motives and craving were assessed using relevant questionnaires. The addiction severity index was used to assess addiction severity. All patients were methadone maintained and one year after detoxification, 36 patients (48.64%) relapsed. Stress and anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, addiction severity and coping motives predicted craving and relapse. Anxiety sensitivity specifically predicted early relapse. Substance use is a severe mental disorder, with high relapse rates. Substance users high in anxiety sensitivity are particularly prone to relapse during the first six months of treatment. Addiction severity and coping motives need to be taken into account when providing interventional services for substance users. Findings imply the significance of additional psychological attention to methadone maintained patients to prevent craving and relapse.

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Perfectionism, anxiety sensitivity and sleep disturbance are among the main causes of generalizing anxiety disorder. This study aims to compare perfectionism, anxiety sensitivity and sleep disturbance between patients with generalizing anxiety disorder (GAD) and control group. The present study was a cross-sectional and ex-post facto investigation (causal comparative method). Statistical universe constituted all patients who had been referred for the first time to the Bu-Ali Sina University’s consultation center in the 2013-2014. In this study, 32 clients with GAD and 32 control group were selected accessibility. The study groups answered the anxiety sensitivity scale (ASI-R), the Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale (FMSP) and Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI). Significant differences were observed in terms of sleep disturbance total measure between the normal and GAD and control groups (P<0.001). Also, the same result was deducted in anxiety sensitivity’s total findings (P<0.001). Perfectionism, however, was not different in the generalizing anxiety disorder and control groups (P>0.05). In sum, the findings in this research show that perfectionism, anxiety sensitivity and sleep disturbance play a major role in causing generalizing anxiety disorder. As such, applying perfectionism, sleep disturbance and cognitive structures in anxiety sensitivity can act as influential approaches in reducing anxiety.