OBJECTIVE

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

MATERIAL AND METHODS

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.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

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.