Comparison of Perceived Locus of Control among Heroin Addicts, Alcoholics, and Amphetamine Abusers

Abstract

Locus of control comparisons were made between groups of heroin addicts, alcoholics, and amphetamine abusers residing within a single treatment setting. Amphetamine abusers were found to be more externally oriented than either of the other groups as predicted on the basis that the amphetamine effect of increasing stimulus intensity and complexity makes the management of contingencies more difficult and produces a loss of personal control syntonic with an externally controlled personality. The results are evidence against an induced internality process since control over affective states through an alternative class of drugs did not likewise produce an internal orientation. Control orientation is viewed as a factor which influences choice among drug types.