OBJECTIVES: The study replicated methods used in an earlier study to
determine the prevalence of dissociative disorders among patients with
substance use disorders and to examine demographic characteristics and
history of childhood abuse among patients with and without dissociative
comorbidity. METHODS: A total of 100 inpatients who were completing a
substance abuse treatment program at a VA medical center were interviewed
using the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule, which diagnoses
dissociative disorders. Two additional screening measures of dissociative
symptoms were used, as well as an instrument to measure IQ. RESULTS:
Fifteen percent of the sample were diagnosed as having a dissociative
disorder. Compared with patients without a dissociative disorder, the
patients with a dissociative disorder had significantly higher median
scores on the two screening measures, indicating more dissociative
experiences and the presence of five distinct symptom clusters. The two
groups did not differ in history of childhood abuse or IQ. CONCLUSIONS: The
results support earlier findings suggesting that patients with substance
abuse disorder should be routinely screened for dissociative symptoms and
disorders.
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