The propensity for manipulative behavior as a component of antisocial syndrome common for substance abuse disorder

The article is devoted to the diagnosis of severity of Machiavellism (latent tendency to manipulate others to obtain personal gain) – personality traits included in syndrome of mental substance dependence. The research was based on Mach-IV scale adapted by V. Znakov and involved patients with alcohol and heroin addiction along with the subjects of a control group. The results obtained in the study showed statistically significantly higher level of propensity for manipulative behavior in patients with heroin and alcohol addiction in comparison with normal individuals. Furthermore, patients addicted to heroin have higher scores on the Mach IV scale than patients with alcohol addiction and control group.

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