Originalarbeiten / Original Articles. Suchterkrankungen und Persönlichkeitspathologie im Jugendalter / Substance Use Disorders and Personality Pathology in Adolescence.

Abstract

Substance Use Disorders and Personality Pathology in Adolescence Although the use of alcohol or illegal drugs is often considered a common developmental phenomenon of adolescence, some individuals develop clinically relevant forms of dependence or abuse. Substance use disorders often cause psychosocial stress, they have adverse consequences on physical health, reduce life expectancy and increase the risk of developing comorbid psychiatric disorders. Personality disorders represent a severe comorbid disorder for adults, but there is still a lack of data for adolescent age groups. The present study demonstrates our findings on the prevalence of personality pathology in young patients with substance use disorders in a psychiatric setting. Furthermore, we will discuss the relevance of traumatic childhood experiences in these adolescents. Our results show that adolescents with substance use disorders have higher levels of personality pathology than those with eating disorders, stress-related and somatoform disorders. Interestingly, these adolescents show the highest levels of physical abuse compared to patients with other psychiatric disorders. These findings emphasize the importance of comorbid personality disorders and trauma in adolescents with substance use disorders. Thus, disorder-specific treatments with a focus on personality disorders and trauma might be a good therapeutic option for this patient group.