Differences in Psychological Need Hierarchy between Program Completers and Dropouts from a Drug Abuse Treatment Program

Abstract

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. Results also suggest that we may be able to identify a personality pattern at risk for premature termination before the person experiences the impulse to leave.