Personality disorders and substance use disorders: a narrative review

Abstract

Background: Personality factors have always been considered to play an important role in the etiology of substance-related disorders. Psychopathologic factors underlying an individual's personality structure have a major role in his or her tendency to use substances. This comorbidity can have an adverse effect on seeking and complying with treatment. Objective: This review provides the comorbidity of personality disorders and substance use disorders (SUD). Methods: In this report which was conducted in 2016, authors gathered data from different journals issued in print or electronic versions. These journals were indexed in Web of Science (Thomson Reuters), PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scientific Information Database (SID) and Magiran. A comprehensive search was done using keywords “Comorbidity”, “Personality disorders” and “Substance use disorders”. The research investigated in this review was conducted from January 1995 to 2016. Results: Comorbidity of borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality and diagnostic and therapeutic considerations are the most well-known problems in personality disorder. In dealing with these patients special attention should be paid to their safety, suicidal and homicidal thoughts Conclusion: It should be noted that an early diagnosis of comorbid personality disorder would lead to an adjusted expectancy from treatment, and adoption of long-term treatments for these patients