Analysis of psychological data and social functioning in alcoholics

: 74 male alcoholics participated in a three years prospective study. We have analysed data that patients obtained after the detoxification and 1, 2 and 3 years after discharge. Patients were divided into groups according to drinking behaviour. The psychological assessment included the MPI-Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Q-sort self-esteem scale, Benton test and the WAIS. Social functioning was classified with reference to the Scale of Social Functioning. Our results indicate that the majority of patients presented disturbances in self-esteem and an increased level of neuroticism. These psychological parameters were not connected with a drinking or sober outcome. Our data suggest that the cognitive impairment in alcoholics is relatively constant and does not improve despite sustained abstinence. In the whole group social functioning was disturbed after a period of drinking and was significantly improved together with the duration of abstinence.