Abstract
M.A.
There is a critical lack of local, clinical research into this growing
problem which threatens to affect all of our lives, either directly or
indirectly.
The last government-sanctioned study on substance abuse in South
Africa was conducted in 1970, and very limited research reports have
been published that have reflected on the etiology, maintenance and
treatment of the problem, either from a social or therapeutic
perspective.
This dissertation sets out to address the clinical, therapeutic issues of
Substance Abuse disorder, including alcohol, within a South African
context.
The assumption of the author is that pathological personality styles
and disorders underlie the problem of substance abuse in South
Africa, as has been established in countries with similar substance
abuse issues around the world.
As will be seen in the following chapter, a distinct relationship has
been established between the disorder of substance abuse, on Axis I
and the personality disorders of Axis II, according to the DSM III-R.
4
A review of the literature will demonstrate the different findings
surrounding this relationship, and describe the role that pathological
personality patterns play in the development and maintenance of
Substance Abuse disorder.
These pathological personality styles and disorders are then
discussed in detail, from the perspective of Millon's theory of
personality. It is felt by this author that Millon's theory of personality
provides a comprehensive framework for the discussion of the
underlying personality issues associated with addiction.
The extensive description of Millon's personality styles and disorders,
their close association to the personality disorders described in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals, and their easy quantification
through the MCMI II make Millon's theory, coupled with his test of
personality the most well suited theory to form a foundation for the
discussion and integration of an understanding of the problems
associated with substance abuse in South Africa.
In order to determine the relevance of foreign- based studies in a
South African context, a study into the personality profiles of South
African substance abusers was conducted at three rehabilitation
centers within the Gauteng province of South Africa.