Heroin addiction and the Wechsler Digit Span test.

Abstract

There is some evidence that a Wechsler Digit Span scaled score well above the means of an individual's other WAIS subtest scores is diagnostically significant. Such positive Digit Span scatter seems to be a correlate of an interpersonal detachment syndrome characterized by superficial relationships and anhedonia. Negative scatter of Digit Span scaled scores considerably below the mean of other WAIS subtest scores have been viewed by some investigators as indicating depressive symptoms. Forty-two heroin addicts were compared with 41 neurotic depressive patients. The former group attained significantly higher average positive Digit Span scatter. Since heroin addicts appear more interpersonally distant and anhedonic for non-drug-related experiences, this finding was according to expectation. Digit Span scaled scores alone did not differentiate the groups. Digit Span scatter scores are clearly more desirable than scaled scores in the search for cognitive correlates of personality variables.