Co-occurrence of 12-Month Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders and PersonalityDisorders in the United States

Background Very little information is available on the co-occurrence of different personality disorders (PDs) and alcohol and drug use disorders in the US population. Objective To present national data on sex differences in the co-occurrence ofDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)alcohol and drug use disorders and 7 of the 10DSM-IVPDs. Design Face-to-face interviews conducted in the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 43 093). Setting The United States and the District of Columbia, including Alaska and Hawaii. Participants Household and group-quarters residents, aged 18 years and older. Results Among individuals with a current alcohol use disorder, 28.6% (95% confidence interval CI, 26.7-30.6) had at least 1 PD, whereas 47.7% (95% CI, 43.9-51.6) of those with a current drug use disorder had at least 1 PD. Further, 16.4% (95% CI, 15.1-17.6) of individuals with at least 1 PD had a current alcohol use disorder and 6.5% (95% CI, 5.7-7.3) had a current drug use disorder. Associations between PDs and alcohol and drug use disorders were overwhelmingly positive and significant (PPPConclusions The co-occurrence of PDs with alcohol and drug use disorders is pervasive in the US population. Results highlight the need for further research on the underlying structure of these disorders and the treatment implications of these disorders when comorbid.