[Self image and defense mechanisms in young drug addicts]

By our psychological treatment of young drug addicts we composed the results of the personal interviews, a self-report inventory (Freiburger Persönlichkeits-Inventar), the observation of behavior, and the Rorschach-Technique. We found that the investigated individuals showed in their self concept parts of a prejudice concerning drug consumers. This prejudice is an important part of the frame of reference determining the behavior of the young people. Investigating the defense-mechanisms and the strategies of personal existence we found clear differences between the groups of hallucinogene abusers and opiate addicts. In both groups there are different reaction types for avoiding and working up internal and external stress.