Drugs, Mental Illness, and Alienation.
Abstract
The interrelationship of drug use, psychiatric illness, and alienation was examined in a cohort of high achieving university undergraduates. Thirteen per cent of the subjects had experienced mental illness at some time in their life, usually affective disorder. Three levels of drug use were identified: no involvement, use of marijuana only, and multi-drug use. Drug taking was associated with a family history of illicit drug use and alcoholism, with active political and sexual involvement, with antisocial behavior and with alienation. Psychiatric illness in the subjects was associated with familial psychiatric disorder and alienation. The data suggest that drug use can be a component of an active process of maturation, or, when coupled with a lack of self-control, an indicator of personal morbidity. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- ADA038364
Entities
People
- Gerard Herrman
- Judith J. Schuckit
- Marc A. Schunckit
- Sherry Hineman
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center