PURPOSE IN LIFE AND OUTCOME OF TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

A number of studies have linked the development of substance abuse pro blems to a lack of purpose or meaning in life, and a few studies have demonstrated an increase in sense of life purpose through substance ab use treatment programmes. The present study extended past research by examining the relationship of purpose in life to treatment outcome ass essed three months after completion of treatment. The subject sample c omprised 131 people in in-patient treatment programmes or awaiting tre atment for alcoholism (in some cases in addition to other drug addicti ons). Consistent with previous research, the mean Purpose in Life Test (PIL) score before treatment was significantly below the normal range and the mean PIL score at the end of in-patient treatment was within the normal range. Furthermore, the PIL score at the end of treatment w as predictive of changes in intimate relationships and health at follo w-up. It was also predictive of follow-up drinking/drug use status. Ho wever, the pattern of prediction differed in the two treatment groups. Post-treatment PIL score was a positive predictor of improvement in a skill-based treatment centre, and a negative predictor in a more auth oritarian, confrontation-based programme. The distinction between inte rnally and externally derived senses of meaning is presented as one po ssible explanation of these findings.