Psychopathology and Chronic Drug Use: A Methodological Paradigm

Abstract

Four carefully matched groups, each containing 9 male, chronic users of a specific type of substance, were compared with each other and with a group of 9 nonusers. Each person was elaborately studied in a representative case research, but this report presents only data from 2 tests of intelligence (the Revised Beta and the WAIS [Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale] and 2 tests of personality (the MMPI [Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory] and 16 PF [16 Personality Factors]). Extensive descriptive information is presented to characterize the participants. Groups did not differ on scores on intelligence tests, and the MMPI revealed more group differences than the 16 PF. Users of barbiturates and sedative-hypnotics were most severely maladjusted, followed by users of opiates, users of cocaine, users of amphetamine and its congeners, and nonusers. Differences also appeared between combined users of stimulants, combined users of depressants, and nonusers, as well as between all drug users (as a group) and nonusers. This research is offered as a methodological paradigm for evaluating future studies. It illustrates how the representative case method may be expanded to permit comparisons among groups.