Locus of control among opiate addicts

Predicted that because the use of opiates enables the user to exert direct control over reinforcements, opiate addicts would show strongly internal expectancies on Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control scale, especially on items referring directly to personal control. Item and total score differences between hospitalized addicts (200 each male and 100 each female blacks and whites) and a comparison group of 400 male and 400 female predominantly white undergraduates strongly supported the predictions. Multivariate analyses of addict subgroups disclosed greater internality for culturally favored subgroups (males, whites) than for less favored ones (females, blacks). Contrary to usual assumptions, however, the addicts' strong beliefs in personal control, based on drug effects rather than social learning, may hinder their responsiveness to treatment programs. (21 ref.)