A Comparison Between the Psycho-Social Characteristics of Drug Addicts and Non-Addicts

The present study was designed to identify certain psychological characteristics associated with drug addicts which differentiate them from non-addicts. It was hypothesized that the drug addicts would be found different from the non-addicts on variables such as attitude towards drug taking, interpersonal relationships, self-concept, personal values, risk-taking, motivation, rebelliousness, pleasure-seeking, and peer influence. The participants were contacted at the Drug Abuse Treatment Centers (DATC) of Government Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Hayat Shaheed Teaching Hospital (HSTH), Mental Hospital, and Dost Welfare Foundation, Peshawar, Pakistan. A sample of 100 male subjects including an equal number of drug addicts and non addicts were carefully matched on variables such as age, education, marital status, economic status, and residential area. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the demographic information and other relevant information of drug-addicts and non-addicts. Psycho­ social Characteristics Rating (PSCR) Scale (Boey, Hong, & Long, 1989) (Urdu version adopted) was administered to addicts and non­addicts. The results show significant differences between addicts and non-addicts. All the hypotheses were confirmed (p <.0001).