Moral reasoning in alcoholics and addicts: structure vs content.

19 alcoholics and 20 addicts were selected from the detoxified inpatient population of a VA hospital. 17 socioeconomically matched controls were drawn from the nonprofessional staff. Kohlberg's Moral Maturity scores were not significantly different for the three groups. However, the content variables involved in choosing between the value of life and law differentiated these groups. The value of reporting both structure and content was examined.