Study of Personality Factors in Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Abstract
There are special reasons for concern about the relationship of substance abuse to military personnel and institutions, in peacetime as well as in combat. The potential of substance abuse to damage morale and discipline, lives and property, security and other objectives of the military services is clear. The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command in 1980 asked that the Committee on Substance Abuse and Habitual Behavior undertake a special review of individual personality factors in drug and alcohol abuse, with two specific objectives: to evaluate critically the major scientific studies that shed light on whether any particular, identifiable configuration of personality factors predisposes individuals to excessive substance use or abuse; and to advise the Army on the efficacy of methods for screening inductees with personality assessment instruments to prevent the enlistment of individuals at high risk of excessive substance use or abuse. To carry out this assignment, we commissioned and critically reviewed two state-of-the-art studies of relevant research knowledge, each examining one of these questions in depth. Addictive Personality: A Viable Construct? by Alan R. Lang examines the question of an addictive personality. Screening Army Enlistees to Identify Individuals with Potential Substance Abuse Problems by Edwin L. Megargee focuses on screening methods and personality assessment. Our report is based principally on these two studies, which were completed after detailed review and comment by the committee; the studies are detailed in the appendices included with the report. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA124584
Entities
Organizations
- National Research Council