Personal dysfunctions of mothers and wives of patients with heroin addiction

This article describes the result of a research focused on the characteristics of personal functioning of mothers and wives of patients with heroin addiction. The study showed that mothers and wives of heroin addicts generally display similar dysfunctions of personality, manifested in increased anxiety, narrowing of the range of interests, difficulties in differentiating their own perceptions and feelings, difficulties in regulating interpersonal distance, lowering of self-esteem and a desire to avoid trust-based relationships. In addition, these troubles of personal functioning reach a level of severe personality dysfunction, indicating a significant reduction in individuals capacity for construction and adaptation and a reduced level of “mental health”.