Is Alteration of Defence Mechanism a Good Indicator for Mental Well-Being Among Psychoactive Addicts?

Psychoactive drug addicts have poor self-esteem, low self-concept, deviant personality profile, frequently using immature, primitive and psychotic forms of defence mechanism. These traits are developed because they employ poor coping behavior to combat stress and anxiety they experience in every day life. In the present study 150 psychoactive drug addicts undergoing drug rehabilitation and treatment were exposed to specific elements and treatment modalities to improve their self-esteem, self-concept, personality profile, adaptive behavior, and new coping and problem solving strategies. The instruments used were Rosenberg Self­ Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), Thematic Apperception Test (Murray, 1934), and Sixteen Personality Factors (Cattell, Eber, & Tatsuoka, 1970). Increase in the level of self-esteem and alteration in the form of defence mechanism from a primitive to a mature was found as a result of local treatment programmes. However, detailed personality changes were not explicitly noted, especially those pertaining to individual and emotional context. Implications of findings have been discussed.