title: Psychological defence, phase of dependence and further prerequisites for the intention of alcoholics to abstain.
abstract: One hundred and four alcoholics who had undergone detoxification in two psychiatric hospitals in West Germany were examined regarding psychological defence, attitudes and norms towards abstinence. Results show that along with loss of well-being and the increasing perception of the negative consequences of alcohol abuse, there is a lessening of defence, an advanced stage of dependence and pronounced abstinence intention. One conclusion is that psychological defence mechanisms of alcohol dependent persons can be explained on the basis of threat to the sense of self worth or cognitive dissonance.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitat zu Lubeck, Klinik fur Psychiatrie, F.R.G.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: John
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003376:Counseling; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept