The relationship between personality disorders and mental health, substance use severity and quality of life among injecting drug users

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between personality disorders (PDs) and substance use severity, mental health symptoms and disorders and quality of life (QoL) among injecting drug users (IDUs). Design, setting and participants: A cross-sectional study of 103 IDUs accessing a needle and syringe program and a primary health centre in Melbourne, Australia. Main outcome measures: Presence of PDs was assessed using the International Personality Disorder Examination ICD-10 Screener. Axis I mental health disorders, psychological distress and QoL were also assessed. Results: Ninety per cent of participants scored positive for one or more PD. Having a Cluster A or Cluster B PD was associated..