Differences in psychological need hierarchies between black and white drug addicts

A total of 109 Black and White heroin and cocaine addicts in treatment for drug abuse were compared on the Adjective Checklist (ACL). We found that the White addict had a significantly different pattern of needs than did the Black addict, characterized by more psychological dependence, distress, and maladjustment. Consistent with the MMPI literature in this area, the ACL provides an accurate evaluation of personality dimensions among drug addicts, and White addicts are more psychologically maladjusted than Black addicts.