Borderline personality disorder and persistently elevated levels of risk in 36-month outcomes for the treatment of heroin dependence.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of borderline personality disorder (BPD) on 36-month outcomes for the treatment of heroin dependence.


METHODS
Longitudinal cohort study.


METHODS
Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
A total of 429 heroin users enrolled in the Australian Treatment Outcome Study, interviewed at 36-month follow-up.


RESULTS
The BPD group enrolled in significantly more different treatment episodes across follow-up, but there was no difference in the cumulative number of treatment days received. At 36 months, there were no group differences in sustained or current heroin abstinence, daily heroin use or level of polydrug use. BPD patients maintained significantly higher levels of crime, injection-related health problems, heroin overdose, major depression and poorer global mental health. In contrast to 12-month follow-up, at 36 months there were no group differences in the proportions who attempted suicide over the preceding 12 months or had recently borrowed used injection equipment.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical picture provided some cause for optimism since 12-month follow-up. Despite this, BPD patients maintained elevated risk levels across a number of domains. The fact that these risks were maintained indicates that this is a group that requires specific clinical attention for BPD-related risks.
Darke
Shane
S
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia. s.darke@unsw.edu.au
Ross
Joanne
J
Williamson
Anna
A
Mills
Katherine L
KL
Havard
Alys
A
Teesson
Maree
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome