ABILITY OF DRUG-ABUSERS TO AVOID DETECTION OF SUBSTANCE-ABUSE ON THE MCMI-II

A total of 150 drug addicts in treatment took the MCMI-II, a clinical test consisting of 3 validity scales, 13 scales measuring personality disorders, and 9 scales measuring clinical syndromes. Two groups were asked to try to avoid the detection of a drug (N = 51) or a drug and a lcohol (N = 49) problem, while a third group (N = 50) took the test un der standard conditions. Results showed that 52% were able to successf ully avoid the detection of a substance abuse problem by reducing the frequency of endorsing drug and alcohol prototype items, by reducing t he amount of self-disclosure and by reducing the frequency with which they debased themselves on the test. Patients with a mild drug depende nce were more successful at concealing their substance abuse than were patients with a moderate or severe addiction. Suggestions for detecti ng patients who have attempted to conceal a substance abuse problem on the MCMI-II are discussed.