Ralph Robinowitz

The effect of increased cocaine use on drug treatment

Abstract Trends in primary illicit drug use were monitored in an inpatient drug treatment program over a 10-year period, along with illicit drug use in a methadone maintenance program over a six-year period. The percentage of cocaine users admitted for inpatient treatment showed an increase for each six-month interval over the past three-year period. Cocaine was found to be the most frequently used illicit drug by methadone maintenance clients, and its continued use disrupted both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Implications for treatment are discussed.

Predicting the outcome of contingency contracting for drug abuse

Contingency contracting was used in an attempt to reduce the illicit drug use of 21 methadone maintenance outpatients. Eleven subjects (compliers) showed a significant reduction in illicit drug use whereas 10 subjects (violators) showed no significant change. Subject variables differentiating the two groups were examined. The variables were divided into three categories: personality (MMPI scale scores); demographic (age, education, race, marital status, and employment status); and treatment history (methadone dosage level, years of narcotic addiction, attempts at detoxification, duration of current methadone treatment, total duration of methadone treatment, frequency of drug use during baseline, and types of drugs during baseline). Treatment history variables were most useful for differentiating the two groups.

Perceived family environments among ethnic groups of compulsive heroin users

Abstract Predictions that both personality and environmental factors are implicated in heroin addiction were explored with personality measures operationalized by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and by family social climate measures operationalized by the Family Environment Scales (Moos et al. , 1974). Hypotheses were supported. Heroin addicts differed appreciably in personality from normative data (Psychopathic deviate, the highest clinical scale; Family Problems, the highest content scale). Heroin users deviated significantly from normative samples in retrospective views of both their past and present family environments (significantly higher Achievement Orientation, Moral-Religious Emphasis, and Organization, contrasted by significantly lower Intellectual-Cultural and Active Recreational Orientations). White heroin users ( n = 39) evidenced greater deviance in both personality and family environment than black heroin users ( n = 63). Comparisons with Mexican-American heroin users, white polydrug users, and nondrug-abusing comparison groups indicated that, for many addicts, compulsive heroin use is associated with social nonconformity in personality that may be a reaction against family demands for achievement without sufficient modeling of instrumental role skills.

Personality differences among black, white, and Hispanic-American male heroin addicts on MMPI content scales†

Used MMPI Content Scale scores (Wiggins, 1966) to assess personality differences among black, white, and Hispanic-American heroin addicts. Ss were 423 male veterans who volunteered for the first time for treatment between 1972 and 1979 to an inpatient Drug Dependence Treatment Program (DDTP) of a Veterans Administration Medical Center. Two hypotheses were tested: First, that minority group heroin addicts (blacks and Hispanics) will show better adjustment than majority group (white) heroin addicts; second, that Hispanic-American heroin addicts will evidence personality characteristics unlike those of either whites or blacks. Both hypotheses were confirmed. Results were interpreted as supporting cultural theories of substance abuse and providing implications for diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse disorders among minority ethnic groups.