Personality, substance of choice, and polysubstance involvement among substance dependent patients

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2003 Jul 20;71(1):65-75. doi: 10.1016/s0376-8716(03)00068-1.

Abstract

The authors compared the association of several personality traits, drug of choice, and polysubstance involvement in 325 individuals (44% male) receiving treatment for substance dependence on heroin, cocaine, and/or alcohol. Measures included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (MAC), the socialization scale of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI-Soc), the novelty seeking dimension of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-NS), and the conscientiousness domain of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-C). Analyses adjusted for demographic covariates, affective and antisocial personality disorder, and substance dependence severity. Although scant evidence supported the hypothesis that these personality traits were associated with substance choice, CPI-Soc and MAC were associated linearly with the extent of polysubstance involvement. Also, patients who were dependent on two or more substances displayed higher levels of TCI-NS, CPI-Soc, and MAC. Findings implicate an association between behavioral disinhibition and a continuum of addiction defined primarily in terms of polysubstance involvement.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personality*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*