The coping styles of alcoholics with axis II disorders

This study investigated the drinking triggers and coping styles of alcoholics with coexisting personality disorders (PDs). Forty-eight outpatients in alcohol treatment (75% men) were assessed with a structured interview for PD diagnoses and were divided into two groups: those with one or more PD diagnoses (n = 29) and those with no personality disorder (NPD) diagnoses (n = 19). Relative to NPD participants, PD participants had greater alcoholism severity and were more likely to have another Axis I psychiatric diagnosis. All subsequent analyses used these variables as covariates. Utilizing analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs), the groups were compared on triggers for heavy drinking and coping styles. The PD group was more likely to report negative emotions, interpersonal conflict, and testing personal control as triggers for heavy drinking, as well as having an emotion-oriented coping style. There were no differences in task or avoidant coping styles.