Changes in Functional Ego States following Treatment for Drug Abuse

Abstract

The Adjective Checklist (ACL), scored for functional ego states, was administered to 68 heroin addicts before and after inpatient, short-term, hospital-based treatment for drug abuse. The initial configuration and patterning of needs corresponded to the Adapted Child ego state, characterized by high needs for succorance, abasement, heterosexuality, nurturance, exhibition, and change. Following an average of 18 days of treatment, the subjects increased their need for achievement, dominance, endurance, and orderliness—all aspects of the Adult ego state—and reduced their need for establishing dependent relationships and for abasement. They also showed closer congruence between their ideal and real selves. The results suggest that the ACL can be used to objectively measure changes in ego states.

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