Abstract:
In the context of a naturalistic field study, substituted opioid-dependent persons were examined. Initially 23 patients were included, of which 20 finished the whole programme and thus provided the needed data. At the beginning, the actual existential orientation (by B-L and Bf-S), premorbid intelligence (MWT-B) and motivation (“Motivation-questionnaire”) were raised. Performance-data (WTS) were gathered under naturalistic, but standardised conditions by computer-assisted test-diagnostic. Additionally, personality traits (FPI-R) and clinically and psycho-pathologically relevant symptoms (SCL-90R) were measured. Furthermore, a structured interview, abutted to the EuropASI, was made, in order to gain a best possible and differentiated view to the various life-styles of the study-participants.
The so gathered data were analysed by SPSS Version 11.0. On the one hand a descriptive statistic of the specific partial-results were raised, on the other hand correlation-analyses according to Spearman were made. At these, the findings of the performance-tests of the WTS were compared to those of the motivational-sheet, the SCL-90R and the FPI-R.
On closer examination of the control sample we found an extraordinary high IQ with a arithmetic mean of 113 points and additionally, more than half of the test persons were in employment. We found, by using descriptive analyses, that in one out of seven of the performance tests of the WTS, there were worse results than in the control-group. Additionally we detected a significant lower value at the variable “life satisfaction” in the study-group. It became apparent at the correlational analyses, that the study-participants had a realistic view of their performance. Nevertheless, the quality of the reaction had faded in the course of the 2-hour-long examination, as can be seen from correlation-analyses of the reaction-test (RT), for example. However, this finding should be treated with caution, as there is no comparable result of a “healthy” sample-group.
Finally, I want to point out, that there are different aspects, which need to be considered, when judging the driving ability of patients with a substance disorder. On the one hand, it is extremely dangerous for an intoxicated driver and his immediate surroundings to steer a vehicle (e.g. Augsburger 1997, Chesher 1985, Wilson 1985, Wiehe 2001). On the other hand there are loads of studies, who do make positive statements towards the driving-ability of persons, who are in a substitution-programme (e.g. Maddux 1977, Gerhard 1989, Berghaus 1993, Rössler 1993, Dittert 1999). Thus, by carrying out this field inquiry, we gained additional findings, that may prove useful at this topic. It was our aspiration to draft a snap-shot of the performance-ability of persons with a substance disorder under real conditions in an ambulatory setting. In order to produce comparable results, we orientated by the preceding studies by Gerhard (1989), Berghaus (1993) and Dittert (1999). Analogue to the observations and recommendations made by Berghaus (2001) on the drinving ability of persons with a substance disorder, it is suggestive and wise, that the actual ability (and disability) to drive a car should primarily be dependent from the actual state of the substance disorder, secondly from the personality traits and last from the results of the neuropsychological examination.