The Rorschach in Planning Treatment of Alcohol Addiction Patients

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the utility of information derived from the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) in treatment planning for alcohol-dependent patients through two clinical cases. These case studies were selected because they clearly demonstrate the complex relationship between alcohol addiction, clinical syndromes, and personality. Both patients were women. The assessment took place on the third week of an inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program. The referral questions included (1) the magnitude of the emotional distress, (2) the motivation to change, and (3) the adequacy of their interpersonal style with our outpatient group treatment lasting 12 weeks. Each patient was assessed on the MINI, the SCID-II, the MMPI-2, and the Rorschach CS. Rorschach findings completed the information obtained by the clinical interview, the structured interviews, and the self-report inventory by generating hypotheses about clinical diagnoses, the role of alcohol, motivation for change, treatment targets, patients’ strengths and interpersonal style, as well as the potential obstacles for treatment and therapeutic relationship. Specific treatment plans and pertinent techniques for therapy were ascertained for each patient.