DISSOCIATIVE SYMPTOMS IN A SUBSTANCE-ABUSE POPULATION

Objective: This study was intended to examine the extent of dissociati ve experiences that exist within a substance abuse population and to d etermine how demographic and clinical variables affect these experienc es. Method: A total of 265 male veterans being treated on an inpatient substance abuse unit completed a standard test battery that included the MMPI-2, the Shipley-Hartford Institute of Living Scale, and the Di ssociative Experiences Scale. Additional demographic and clinical info rmation was obtained from the patients' medical records. Results: Over 41% of the cohort had scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale th at suggested the need for further evaluation of a dissociative disorde r. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that level of psyc hological discomfort, IQ, and race accounted for more than 24% of the variance in Dissociative Experiences Scale scores. Conclusions: Substa nce abuse populations may need to be routinely screened for dissociati ve symptoms just as they are for depression and anxiety.