This research investigated whether high-risk injection drug users (IDU
s) manifest distinct types, or profiles, of interpersonal cognitive pr
oblem-solving (TCPS) abilities. Four measures of ICPS, the Means-Ends
Problem-Solving procedure (MEPS), Optional Thinking Test (OTT), Awaren
ess of Consequences Test (ACT), and Causal Thinking Test (CTT), were a
dministered to 140 IDUs who volunteered for NIDA Demonstration Project
s in Newark and Jersey City, NJ, to study high-risk behaviors in drug
users and their sexual partners. At time of initial contact, none of t
he subjects was currently enrolled in a treatment program. Hierarchica
l and nonhierarchical cluster analyses were used with the MEPS, OTT, A
CT, and CTT scores, and five IDU problem-solving types were identified
. These types represented below-average, causal, generational, consequ
ential, and above-average problem-solving skills. A rational conceptua
lization of potential treatment implications for each of these types o
f IDU problem solvers is discussed.