Personality profile and drug of choice; a multivariate analysis using Cloninger’s TCI on heroin addicts, alcoholics, and a random population group

Abstract

As personality may predispose, precipitate or perpetuate substance abuse and/or dependence, and as it is considered to remain stable across the years in a given subject, potential links with the drug of choice may help screen future patients before drug consumption. The present study compared three groups: 42 patients with heroin dependence (mean age: 31.2; standard deviation (SD): 5.5; 10 females), 37 patients with alcohol dependence (mean age 44.2; SD: 9.1; 9 females) and 83 subjects from a random population sample (mean age: 38.8; SD: 6.9; 20 females). Personality was measured by Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Pillai's MANCOVA with age as a covariate and gender as a cofactor was highly significant. Univariate ANOVA analyses using TCI dimensions as dependent variable showed most variables to vary in parallel for the two patient groups in comparison with controls. Post-hoc tests showed heroin patients to score higher in Novelty-Seeking and Self-Directedness than alcohol patients. Sub-dimensions Exploratory Excitability, Fear of the Uncertain, Responsibility, Congruent Second Nature and Transpersonal Identification were also significantly different in the two patient samples. Logistic regression showed Exploratory Excitability to segregate up to 76% of heroin patients from alcohol patients. In conclusion, personality profiles were linked to some preferential choice of drug and personality screening might be tested in preventive strategies.

Prevalence and factors associated with alcohol and drug-related disorders in prison: a French national study

“…A recent study using TCI reported that heroin users scored higher than subject with an alcohol-related disorder on novelty-seeking and self-directedness, and that exploratory excitability (a sub-dimension of novelty-seeking) was the best variable to segregate these groups. Subject with an alcohol dependence also had a lower score than controls for certain subscales of reward dependence [32]. Our study confirms some of these results.…”

“…Some personality features have been commonly linked to patients with SUD, the most salient variables being novelty-seeking [30,31], impulsivity, and low harm avoidance [32,33]. Few studies have tried to differentiate between drug preferences (voir réf 36) and none have studied this among jailed substance users.…”

Comparisons of temperament and character between problematic internet users and problematic drug users in Korean adolescents

“…Novelty seeking, which is considered to be associated with low basal dopaminergic activity, has been reported to be associated with both nicotine consumption and heavy caffeine intake, both of which enhance dopaminergic neurotransmission [5]. Because personality may predispose, precipitate, or perpetuate substance addiction and/or dependence [7], information on personality traits might be useful in the management of addictive disorders and may assist clinicians in matching interventions to relevant personality traits [8].…”

“…Drug addiction was selected for comparison with internet addiction since the personality traits of substance abusers are well known [5,7].…”

Using Cloninger's Temperament Scales to Predict Substance-Related Behaviors in Adolescents: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

“…For example, increased HA has been observed in those dependent on tobacco, 11 alcohol, 12 and heroin. 12 However, other studies did not obtain consistent results for HA. 13,14 There are few studies reporting associations with RD-lower levels were associated with drug dependence 15 and adolescent substance use 16 but not heroin/alcohol dependence 12 -and even fewer results for PE, where in one study lower levels were associated with daily smoking, 11 but in another study PE did not differentiate heroin-or alcohol-dependent patients from controls.…”