Psychopathology and Nonmedical Drug Use: A Comparison of Patient and Nonpatient Drug Users

Abstract

This investigation examined the hypothesis that high-rate drug use is not always related to high levels of psychological discomfort. High-rate drug users who were actively involved in treatment are compared to a group of high rate drug users who had never been in treatment nor did they desire it at the time of the investigation. Although both groups used drugs with high frequency, actual patterns of drug use differed. Comparison of MMPI and CAPPS data suggested that the patients were experiencing significantly more distress than were nonpatients. The data further suggest that the patient group had a poorer premorbid level of adjustment. Based on these data patterns of drug use, possible implications for treatment are discussed.