Prevalence of personality disorders among cocaine and heroin addicts

Using the MCMI‐III, we studied rates of personality disorders among 443 inpatient drug abusers (i.e., 160 opiate addicts and 283 cocaine addicts). For both samples the disorders of antisocial (60%), passive‐aggressive (negativistic) (34%), and depressive personality disorders (32%) showed higher prevalence rates. Previous studies (N = 13) using different measures (e.g., SCID, SDIP, MCMI‐I) reported similar findings in terms of overall prevalence of specific personality disorders, although actual rates varied by population.

Key words:

• cocaine
• heroin
• personality disorders
• prevalence
• MCMI‐III
• substance abuse

Notes

West Side Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, and Institute for Advanced Study of Personality and Psychopathology, Coral Gables, Florida.

Address correspondence concerning this manuscript to: Robert J. Craig, Ph.D., ABPP, Director, Drug Abuse Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chicago Healthcare System, West Side Division, 820 South Damen Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60612–3740.

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Notes on contributors

Robert J. Craig

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