Mood changes in substance abuse patients as a result of therapy

A sample of 57 substance abuse patients who were participating in a broad residential treatment program were evaluated for changes in negative affect. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was administered once a week for 4 weeks. The 4-week changes on five of the six mood scales were significantly positive after treatment. The Interpersonal Style Inventory (ISI), completed at the beginning of the program, provided a mean scale score profile. Stylistically, patients were low in interpersonal involvement and distinctly below average in level of socialization (expedient, cynical, and hostile). In addition, patients could be characterized as anxious and dysphoric, impulsive, and dependent as judged by the norm sample.