Vulnerability to Alcohol and Drug Addiction in Adolescents: An Experience in Bolivia

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify indicators of vulnerability to alcohol/drug use and abuse in certain adolescent personality profiles through the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A) and obtain warning signs to initiate prevention, containment, and protective behaviors. Materials and Methods: The MMPI-A was applied in a population of 49 adolescents. Results: In the clinical scales between the study group and the control group, there were clinically significant differences in psychopathic deviation (4. Pd), paranoia (6. Pa), psychasthenia (7. Pt), schizophrenia (8. Sc), and hypomenia (9. Ma). In the supplementary scales, the study group percentages were as follows: MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised (58%), Alcohol/Drug Problem Acknowledgment (37.50%), and Alcohol/Drug Problem Proneness (29.16%). For the control group the percentages were as follows: MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised (20%), Alcohol/Drug Problem Acknowledgment (20%), and Alcohol/Drug Problem Proneness (4%). Conclusions: The identification of indicators of vulnerability to the consumption and abuse of alcohol/drugs in certain personality profiles should be a warning sign for initiating prevention, containment, and protection behaviors in adolescents.