Thirty-five marihuana addicts—seen at the Army Air Forces Hospital at March Field, California—had without any exception an extremely adverse familial, social and economic background. Their personalities were in accordance with the 'addict type' as described by psychoanalytic theory. They were full of strivings for immediate and constant gratification of sensual as well as self-esteem needs, incapable of tolerating anxiety or any other tension. The use of the drug created a vicious circle, making the patients still less capable of standing life without it. The importance of adverse external circumstances as a contributing factor in forming the character which leads to addiction is so striking that the authors recommend: 'that government institutions be created to which such confirmed marihuana addicts may be committed for long term treatment and rehabilitation or for indefinite custody'.