MMPI subtypes for cocaine abusers.

The MMPIs of 104 cocaine abusers in treatment were subjected to a hierarchical cluster analysis and two basic profile types emerged. Type I consisted of a spike on Pd and a subspike on Hyp, reflecting a rebellious, acting out character-disordered style with narcissistic traits. Type II consisted of a high-ranging, floating profile consisting of marked elevations on F, Sc, Dep, Pt, Pd, and Pa, reflecting a psychiatric patient who concurrently abused cocaine.

Preliminary examination of the reliability and relation to clinical state of a measure of low vision patient functional status.

An evaluation of the reliability and relation to clinical state of a measure of low vision patient functional status was conducted. The measure included discrete tasks aggregated into three different areas: identifying objects, reading, and daily/leisure activities. Data were obtained retrospectively from case records of 247 low vision patients and 144 complete cases were used for statistical analyses.

Gingival hyperplasia: a side effect of nifedipine and diltiazem.

Currently, calcium channel blockers are being used increasingly for the treatment of hypertension in the elderly. Several case reports in the dental literature suggest that patients treated with the calcium channel blockers manifest gingival hyperplasia similar to that seen in patients taking phenytoin (Dilantin, Parke-Davis). A small study of 89 patients undertaken at the Westside Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago seems to indicate that nifedipine and diltiazem do indeed cause gingival hyperplasia.

MCMI comparisons of cocaine abusers and heroin addicts.

Cocaine addicts (N = 107) and opiate addicts (N = 86) in treatment for drug abuse were compared on the MCMI. Univariate analyses revealed that cocaine abusers showed more traits of the antisocial personality style, whereas heroin addicts evinced more problems with anxiety and somatic distress, probably related to residual problems of withdrawal, and alcohol abuse. Multivariate analyses revealed four distinct clusters (MCMI patterns 456', 865', 56', and 8') that aligned by underlying personality style and clinical syndrome expression rather than by drug of choice.

Improvement in psychological functioning among drug abusers: inpatient treatment compared to outpatient methadone maintenance.

A total of 68 opiate and cocaine abusers, receiving hospital-based, multimodal treatment for drug abuse in a 14 to 21-day program, and 47 patients newly admitted to methadone maintenance were compared on changes in psychological functioning, using a pretreatment-posttreatment design. Psychological changes were assessed by the Adjective Checklist, measuring the construct of "need". Inpatient treatment resulting in abstinence was associated with positive, meaningful, and significant changes in need pattern that were internally consistent.

Psychological functioning of cocaine free-basers derived from objective psychological tests.

This paper reports on two separate studies that compared cocaine free-basers with opiate addicts on objective personality tests (Adjective Checklist and MMPI). Both groups showed a similar organization of needs. While opiate addicts were characterized by acting-out traits, rebelliousness, depression, anxiety, alienation, and hyperactivity, the cocaine free-basers were characterized by similar traits, but at modulated levels of severity.

Differences in psychological needs among drug abusers: first admissions compared to recidivists.

A group of 58 recidivists were compared with a group of 58 first-admission patients in drug abuse treatment, using the Adjective Checklist measuring basic psychological needs. Compared to the recidivists, the first-admission patients scored significantly higher in the needs for Exhibition, Autonomy, Aggression, and Change. A Personality composite for this need configuration was described, and the clinical implications of these results emphasized the need to give attention to the special needs of the patient who is in drug abuse treatment for the first time.

A psychometric study of the prevalence of DSM-III personality disorders among treated opiate addicts.

Using the DSM-III criteria for personality disorders, prevalence rates of these disorders were evaluated, among opiate addicts in treatment, with a psychometric test--the Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventory. We found that 27% of addicts met criteria for multiple personality disorders. While all 11 DSM-III disorders were diagnosed in our sample, the disorders of antisocial (22%), narcissistic (18%), borderline (16%), and dependent (16%) were more frequent among opiate addicts.

Differences in psychological need hierarchy between program completers and dropouts from a drug abuse treatment program.

Psychological need patterns among 116 drug addicts in treatment were measured with the Adjective Checklist. Compared to program completers, program dropouts had higher needs for autonomy and aggression and lower needs for deference, nurturance, and affiliation. This personality style may form the basis of dropping out, among certain types of addicts in certain types of programs, when faced with situational, environmental, or interactional stress.

MMPI-derived prevalence estimates of homosexuality among drug-dependent patients.

Prevalence estimates of homosexuality among 225 drug-abusing clients in treatment were placed at 11%. The rate among Black cocaine free-basers was 17%, and among Black opiate users the rate was 10%. These rates are two to three times the rate of homosexuality among the general population.