THE CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONALITY CHANGES IN SECONDARY ALCOHOLISM

Аннотация

The clinical characteristics of personality changes in secondary alcoholism encompass a range of psychological, emotional, and behavioral alterations that develop as a result of prolonged alcohol dependence. These changes may include increased emotional instability, impaired impulse control, heightened aggression or irritability, diminished cognitive functioning, and a progressive decline in social and occupational adaptability. Additionally, individuals with secondary alcoholism often exhibit intensified anxiety, depressive symptoms, and a tendency toward social withdrawal. The evolution of these personality changes is influenced by underlying psychiatric conditions, the severity and duration of alcohol abuse, and the individual's pre-existing personality traits. Understanding these clinical characteristics is essential for developing effective therapeutic interventions and personalized treatment strategies aimed at addressing both the addiction and its psychological consequences. Keywords: Clinical characteristics, personality changes, secondary alcoholism, psychological alterations, anxiety, depressive symptoms. Introduction. In individuals with a premorbid asthenic disposition, a reaction of nervous weakness is frequently observed, often manifesting in the presence of family members or friends, and in some cases, at work or other public settings in response to any words or actions directed at them. These individuals frequently experience doubts about their actions, particularly those committed while intoxicated, leading to feelings of remorse. This remorse is often accompanied by promises to stop drinking and to start a new way of life. Patients suffering from stage II alcoholism frequently reported feelings of misunderstanding, underestimation, and discrimination, 782 Fevral, 2025-Yil as well as complaints about an unsuccessful life. They exhibited obsessive-phobic and hypochondriacal disorders, often accompanied by heightened emotional sensitivity and an increased tendency to cry. These individuals commonly experienced a deep sense of dissatisfaction, persistent anxiety, and preoccupation with their health, further exacerbating their emotional instability and reinforcing their dependence on alcohol as a coping mechanism [1-7]. In individuals with premorbid stenic and excitable personality traits, explosive character features were predominant. They were characterized by episodes of explosive or, in rare cases, sullen anger, often accompanied by violent aggression toward loved ones and hostility toward others. These individuals exhibited a heightened tendency toward emotional outbursts, impulsivity, and confrontational behavior, which significantly impacted their interpersonal relationships and social functioning. Unlike asthenic individuals, these patients attributed their failures, including alcoholism, to their environment and external circumstances rather than themselves. They became sullen, tense, envious, vengeful, and overly suspicious, often displaying a heightened sense of resentment and blame toward others. Their emotional state was marked by increased irritability and a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction with their surroundings [8-13]. In individuals with premorbid hysterical traits, personality changes were closely associated with pronounced psychopathic symptoms, similar to the previous cases. They were characterized by marked emotional instability, often accompanied by functional neurological and somatic disorders, driven by a strong desire to attract attention to their problems. Their behavior was dominated by dramatic expressions of distress, exaggerated emotional responses, and an increased dependency on others for validation and support. These patients were characterized by a tendency toward deception and exaggeration, sometimes reaching the level of pathological lying (pseudologia fantastica). They often fabricated incredible stories and reasons to justify their drinking habits. Their behavior was marked by manipulative tendencies and theatrical self- presentation, which frequently led to the deterioration of relationships with their loved ones, whom they often blamed for their problems [14-18]. Patients with a syntonic personality type exhibited an unreasonably elevated mood, often characterized by optimism, boastfulness, and uninhibited behavior. They were pleased to escape the depressive state that followed a psychotraumatic event. These individuals were excessively sociable, sometimes inappropriately familiar, and constantly sought out drinking companions. For these individuals, more than for others, the so-called "alcoholic humor" was characteristic, primarily expressed through a tendency for crude jokes on alcohol-related topics. In conversation, they spoke about themselves easily and became very open after a short interaction. 783 Fevral, 2025-Yil At the same time, syntonic patients were sensitive and vulnerable when faced with traumatic situations. In such cases, they could