Relationship of drug-addicted patients’ personality disorders to social problem-solving changes during the rehabilitation process

Abstract

Background: Drug-addicted patients exhibit various personality disorders that interfere with their adaptation to society, as well as their ability to participate in the rehabilitation process. The Latvian Rehabilitation Programme for drug addicts includes social problem-solving training to help patients reintegrate into society. However, the role of personality disorders has not been investigated in relation to this process. Aims: The aim of the study is to assess whether personality disorders predict changes in dimensions of social problem-solving after 6 months of rehabilitation for drug-addicted patients. Methods: The sample of this study consists of 31 drug-addicted patients from the Latvian rehabilitation centres aged 21–35 (females 21%, males 79%). Two inventories are used: the Social Problem-Solving Inventory—Revised (SPSI-R) and Millon^TM Clinical Multiaxial Inventory—III (MCMI-III) adapted into Russian. Results: Results of the study indicated that some MCMI-III personality disorders (Schizoid and Histrionic) negatively predicted SPSI-R Positive problem orientation, and narcissistic disorder positively predicted SPSI-R Avoidance style after 6 months in the Latvian Rehabilitation Programme. The other personality disorders did not predict social problem-solving dimensions. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that some personality disorders are related to changes in social problem-solving dimensions for drug-addicted patients. Hence, it is important to consider the implications of particular personality disorders to facilitate the implementation of social problem-solving rehabilitation programmes.

• Drug-addicted patients
• Personality disorders
• Rehabilitation
• Social problem-solving

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This work has been supported by the European Social Fund within the project Support for Doctoral Studies at University of Latvia.