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Personality disorder and dimension differences between type A and type B substance abusers

S A Ball1, H R Kranzler, H Tennen

  • 1Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Journal of Personality Disorders
|May 9, 1998
PubMed
Summary

This study found significant differences between Type A and Type B substance abusers. Type B individuals showed greater risks, more severe addiction, and higher impairment, alongside distinct personality traits compared to Type A.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology
  • Addiction Medicine

Background:

  • Substance abuse is a complex condition with diverse presentations.
  • Personality subtypes may influence substance abuse patterns and outcomes.
  • Understanding these differences is crucial for tailored treatment approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate personality differences between substance abuse subtypes.
  • To examine the relationship between personality disorders and normal personality dimensions in different substance abuse groups.
  • To determine if Type A/Type B personality distinctions correlate with substance abuse severity and psychosocial impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 370 inpatient and outpatient alcohol, cocaine, and opiate abusers.
  • Assessed DSM-IV personality disorders and normal personality dimensions.

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  • Utilized the Type A/Type B personality classification.

    • Main Results:

    • The Type A/Type B distinction was replicated in substance abusers.
    • Type B substance abusers exhibited more premorbid risk factors, severe substance abuse, and greater psychosocial impairment.
    • Type B individuals were more frequently diagnosed with and had more severe symptoms of most personality disorders (except Schizoid) compared to Type A.
    • Type B scored higher on neuroticism, novelty seeking, and harm avoidance; Type A scored higher on agreeableness, conscientiousness, cooperativeness, and self-directedness.
    • These subtype differences persisted after controlling for antisocial personality and psychiatric symptoms.

    Conclusions:

    • Personality subtypes (Type A/Type B) are significantly associated with distinct patterns of substance abuse, personality disorders, and psychosocial functioning.
    • Type B personality traits may indicate a higher vulnerability and poorer prognosis in substance abuse treatment.
    • These findings highlight the importance of considering personality dimensions in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders.