Differences in organization of psychological needs between inpatient and outpatient opiate addicts

A total of 117 inpatients and 114 outpatient drug addicts were administered the Adjective Check List; protocols were subjected to a hierarchical cluster analysis. Results showed two basic clusters for inpatients and one large cluster in the outpatient sample, each different in personality need organization. At discharge, patients who moved from Clusters I or II (inpatient) to Cluster III (outpatient) continued with outpatient treatment. None of the "independent" patients pursued outpatient treatment, while patients in the "emotionally dependent" cluster who pursued outpatient treatment eventually were placed on methadone maintenance. Results suggest that drug addicts who request inpatient or outpatient treatment may be a self-selected sample who differ in personality organization, which, in turn, may predict treatment follow-up in an aftercare setting.