The role of personality pathology in the aetiology and treatment of substance use disorders

The concept of personality in addiction research has traditionally been sub ject to controversies about its measurement and role in aetiology and treat ment. Early studies (1950-1980) typically sought but failed to identify a s ingle pre-addictive personality, suggesting either clinical heterogeneity o r the unimportance of personality as an aetiological factor. This review su mmarizes recent evidence for the notion that distinct personality traits do play an important role in several pathways to addictive behaviours. Furthe rmore, it will be argued that recent studies strongly indicate the clinical relevance of the routine assessment of (maladaptive) personality traits in individuals admitted for substance abuse treatment. Cur Opin Psychiatry 13 :163-169 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.