Personality and substance use disorders in young adults

Abstract

BackgroundThere have been no studies of the co-occurrence of personality and substance use disorders in young community-dwelling adults.AimsTo examine the association between DSM–IV personality disorders and substance use disorders in a large representative sample of young community-dwelling participants.MethodYoung Australian adults (n=1520, mean age=24.1 years) were interviewed to determine the prevalence of substance use disorders; 1145 also had an assessment for personality disorder.ResultsThe prevalence of personality disorder was 18.6% (95% CI 16.5–20.7). Personality disorder was associated with indices of social disadvantage and the likely presence of common mental disorders. Independent associations were found between cluster B personality disorders and substance use disorders. There was little evidence for strong confounding or mediating effects of these associations.ConclusionsIn young adults, there are independent associations between cluster B personality disorders and substance use disorders.