The relationship of object relations and reality testing deficits to outcome status of methadone maintenance patients

Compr Psychiatry. 1996 Sep-Oct;37(5):347-54. doi: 10.1016/s0010-440x(96)90016-4.

Abstract

Impairments in the ability to form and maintain meaningful interpersonal relationships and in the ability to distinguish between internal and external stimuli are related to an individual's psychological health. The Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI) scores of 146 methadone patients were used to evaluate whether transitory (TI) or chronic impairments (CIs) in object relations and reality testing were related to more severe drug use, family and social problems, psychological distress, as well as more time in treatment, seeking additional treatments, or taking psychiatric medication. The results showed no significant relationship between BORRTI scores and family or social problems, time in treatment, or the months of heroin use between follow-up evaluations. However, severity of drug use was related to an impairment in a specific dimension of object relations-egocentricity. There was a significant relationship between TIs and CIs in object relations and reality testing with levels of psychological distress and the likelihood of taking psychiatric medication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methadone / therapeutic use*
  • Object Attachment*
  • Reality Testing*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Methadone