Cognitive and behavioral dimensions of dysfunction in alcohol and polydrug abusers.

Development of a measure of parallel dimensions of cognitive and behavioral dysfunction related to substance abuse is described. Dimensions were assessed in alcohol and polydrug abusers entering treatment and social drinkers. Dimensions included quantity/frequency of use, physiological symptoms, situational stressors, antisocial behaviors, interpersonal problems, affective dysfunction, attitude toward treatment, degree of life impact, and three use expectancies. Principal component analysis of the dimensions and expectancies yielded three factors; behavioral/physiological, social, and cognitive. Although the groups could be discriminated statistically, alcohol and polydrug abusers exhibited relatively similar patterns of dysfunction across the dimensions and expectancies, with alcohol abusers demonstrating greater intensity or degree of dysfunction in several areas on admission to treatment. Implications of the findings with respect to multidimensional models of substance abuse and use of the dimensions in treatment matching and outcome research are discussed.