Clinical and psychological characteristics motives of drug use by adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship addictive motives, clinical-dynamic characteristics of conduct disorders and adaptation of personality in substance harmful using adolescents. Were studied 293 adolescents with a diagnosis of «Conduct disorder» and comorbid diagnoses «Harmful substance use» (mean age - 15,3 ± 0,1 years). Patients were divided into 4 groups. 1 subgroup comprised 89 patients with comorbid diagnosis of «Harmful opioid use». 2 subgroup comprised 95 patients with comorbid diagnosis of «Harmful inhalant use». 3 subgroup comprised 57 patients with comorbid diagnosis of «Drinking alcohol with harmful consequences». 4 subgroup consisted of 52 patients with comorbid diagnosis of «Harmful stimulant use». Results of the study revealed two groups of patients: patients with motives correction of negative emotional states (CE) and patients with the motives of stimulation emotionally positive state (SE). For patients with motives SE was characterized by the predominance of symptoms antisocial personality, conduct disorders, more expressions of social and legal consequences of substance use and quantity of comorbid alcohol use. Patients with motives CE marked predominance of symptoms of hyperkinetic conduct disorder and organic affective disorders, big quantitative severity of substance use when expressed psychopathology and health consequences. Patients with motives SE compared with patients with motives CE show a more favorable profile protective coping behavior associated with less use of immature and nonadaptive psychological defense mechanisms («regression», «replacement») and non-constructive types of coping («distancing», «self-control», «escape-avoidance»).