[Open narcissism, covered narcissism and personality disorders as predictive factors of treatment response in an out-patient Drug Addiction Unit].
BACKGROUND
Although a high prevalence of personality disorders has been reported in substance users, the literature on their value for predicting treatment response is controversial. On the other hand, while the predictive validity of personality traits as predictors of response to drug abuse or dependence has been studied, research on the validity of narcissistic personality traits is scarce.


OBJECTIVE
To study the predictive value of personality disorders, narcissistic personality traits and self-esteem for predicting treatment response.


METHODS
We assessed 78 patients attended at an addiction treatment unit using personality disorder diagnoses and measures of self-esteem, narcissism and covert (hypersensitive) narcissism. These variables were used in a Cox survival model as predictive variables of time to relapse into drug use.


RESULTS
Hypersensitive (covert) narcissism and borderline and passive-aggressive personality disorders were risk factors for relapse into drug use, while open narcissism was a protective factor. Self-esteem did not show predictive validity.


CONCLUSIONS
Personality disorders characterized by impulsivity-instability and passivity-resentfulness show higher risk of relapse into drug abuse. Personality traits characterized by high sensitivity to humiliation increase the risk of relapse, whereas pride and self-confidence are protective factors.
Salazar-Fraile
José
J
Centro de Salud Mental de Paterna, Unidad de Psicopatología Neurofisiológica, Departamento de Salud 6. Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM). j.salazar@wanadoo.es
Ripoll-Alandes
Carmen
C
Bobes
Julio
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009289:Narcissism; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome