Interpersonal problem solving ability was assessed in a com- munity-based study with 179 French-speaking women who were consum- ing psychotropic drugs a t varying frequencies. Significant differences were found between psychotrope consumers and nonconsumers in problem solving scores, with deficiencies in defining the problem characteristic of regular consumers. When subjects were separated on the basis of the Beck Depression Inventory scores, depressed women were differentiated only in their ability to generate alternatives and provide viable solutions to prob- lems. The results are discussed in terms of difficulties with problem defi- nition which might prompt a physician to prescribe, and the role of prob- lem solving deficiencies in drug use maintenance.