A heroin addiction scale for the MMPI: effectiveness in differential diagnosis in a psychiatric setting.

This study examined the discriminative utility of the Cavior Heroin Addiction Scale (HE) in separating samples of male heroin addict, alcoholic, and polydrug abuser samples from psychiatric control samples matched on sex, age, race, and education level. Heroin addicts were the only substance abuser samples that did not differentiate from its control sample. Heroin addicts obtained higher mean HE values than did the alcoholics although the polydrug abusers obtained higher mean HE values than both alcoholics and heroin addicts.

Organic impairment in polydrug users: risk factors.

In a national collaborative study to assess the neuropsychological status of 151 polydrug users, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery showed deficits in 37% two to three weeks after they entered treatment and in 34% at three-month follow-up. Comparative rates for a group of psychiatric patients were 26% and 27%, and for nonpatients, 8% and 4%. Extensive and intensive use of CNS depressants and opiates correlated positively with neuropsychological deficit.

Evaluation of clinical pharmacy services on a polydrug detoxification unit.

A five month study was undertaken to evaluate the role played by a clinically trained pharmacist on a polydrug detoxification unit. A total of 69 patients were included in the study. Four parameters were investigated in the evaluation.

The MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale as a general measure of substance misuse.

On the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale alcoholics, heroin addicts and polydrug users obtained similar scores which were significantly higher than those of matched control groups of psychiatric patients.