Abstract

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

Nimisha Doval, Aparna Goyal, Rashmita Saha and M. S. Bhatia*

Abstract

Substance use disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric problems encountered in clinical practice. They are more often than not comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. Research on the correlates of drug addiction provides insights for understanding aetiology and help in forming prevention policies and cessation programs. Personality disorders (PDs) are among the most prevalent comorbid disorders in treatment-seeking patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Antisocial PD and borderline PD are seen to be the more prevalent PDs in SUD patients.[1] The profile of SUD patients with underlying personality issues differs from those without such problems. These individuals start abusing substances at younger age, have more distressing symptoms and more anxiety disorders, more use of illicit drugs, have scholastic or work related problems and more functional impairment, thus calling for a different treatment approach than patients without PDs.[2] Hence, SUD patients should therefore be thoroughly assessed for comorbid Axis I and Axis II disorders.

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