SUMMARY
In the description of parental psychopathology in narcotic dependence, emphasis has hitherto largely lain on the identification of addictogenic characteristics rather than on the identification of psychological distress. In an attempt to remedy the situation, we compared the parents of 21 male narcotic dependant patients with an equal number of matched controls. Using the General Health Questionnaire and the Subjective Well Being Inventory, we found the ‘narcotic parents’ experienced more (clinically significant) psychological discuss than did controls, and that this impairment was greater in ‘narcotic mothers’ than in their husbands. This distress was an ostensible result of having to cope with the burden of a narcotic dependant offspring. In view of these findings, and considering the poor prognosis associated with this diagnosis, we suggest' that management programmes for narcotic dependence include psychotherapeutic intervention directed towards reducing distress experienced by the parents. Possible lines for such intervention are suggested.
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