Addiction time and value of Z indicators in Rorschachs of heroin users

Rorschach test scores for short-term (1 to 3 yr.) and long-term (5 or more yr.) heroin users (ns = 25 each) were compared, to ascertain whether the use of heroin influences the organizational activity, namely, the form level of each response (as measured by Zf and Zd indices). Zd values were significantly lower in long-term than in short-term users, while Zf values approached significance. These findings support the hypothesis that cognitive functioning is impaired along with addiction time.