Work

Personality dimensions and drug of choice: A descriptive study using Cloninger's temperament and character inventory revised

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Personality dimensions related with drug use are novelty seeking, impulsivity and harm avoidance. Studies predicting drug of choice over personality variables are controversial. Objective To describe personality profile of drug users in relation to substance of choice. Aims To know personality dimension differences according to drug used. Methods Cloninger's TCI-R was administered to 218 patients in a dual diagnosis unit. SPSS was applied. Results Of the patients, 33.94% had personality disorder. Principal substances used were alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. Most of drug users had normal scores in each dimension. No high scores were found in reward dependence, self-directedness and cooperativeness with any drug. High scores were observed for novelty seeking in 42.9% of timulants users; for arm avoidance in a quarter of cocaine, alcohol and methadone users and for persistence in 18.2% of hypnotics users. Low scores were observed for reward dependence in 45% of heroine and hypnotics users; for persistence in 50% of methadone and 32% of cocaine users; for self-directedness in most of types of drug users and for cooperativeness in up to 50% in heroine, hypnotics, stimulants and cocaine users. Statistical significant differences were observed for cocaine use and high novelty seeking and low cooperation; for non cannabis use and high harm avoidance; for non anfetamine use and low scores in reward dependence; for opiate use and low self-directedness. Conclusions Most of patients had normal scores in the different dimensions. Presence of comorbid personality disorder led us to consider the results with caution. Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Source: European Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1016