[The severity of neurotic disorders and social masochism in chemical addicts]

To study symptoms of neurotic disorders and social masochism in chemical addicts.

Thirty outpatients of the Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Addiction Dispensary were studied. Corresponding scales and questionnaires, along with a social masochism questionnaire developed by the authors, were used. Results were compared to those of 25 healthy people.

A significantly higher level (p≤0.05) of the following neurotic disorders: sleep disturbances, hysterical neurotic disorder, anxious neurotic disorder, social maladaptation and depressive neurotic disorder as well as a subclinical level of anxiety and depression were observed in chemical addicts. Moreover, patients with chemical dependence revealed significantly higher (p≤0.05) indicators of aggression, victim behavior and social masochism (different types of aggression, victimization, irritability, negativism, resentment, guilt, self-harming behavior, hypersocial behavior, provoking and uncritical behavior, the role of the victim, negative perception and a general indicator of social masochism). The correlations between indicators of the affective sphere, manifestations of social masochism and neurotic disorders in individuals with chemical dependence were identified.