Yale University

Personality disorders and retention in a therapeutic community for substance dependence.

TitlePersonality disorders and retention in a therapeutic community for substance dependence.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsSamuel, Douglas B., Donna M. LaPaglia, Lisa M. Maccarelli, Brent A. Moore, and Samuel A. Ball
JournalThe American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions
Volume20
Issue6
Pagination555-62
Date Published2011 Nov-Dec
ISSN1521-0391
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Aged, Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry), Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Dropouts, Personality Disorders, Personality Inventory, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Residential Treatment, Substance-Related Disorders, Therapeutic Community, Time Factors
AbstractAlthough therapeutic community (TC) treatment is a promising intervention for substance use disorders, a primary obstacle to successful treatment is premature attrition. Because of their prevalence within substance use treatment facilities, personality disorder (PD) diagnoses have been examined as predictors of treatment completion. Prior research on TC outcomes has focused almost exclusively on antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and the results have been mixed. This study extends previous research by examining the impact of the 10 Axis II PDs on early (first 30 days) attrition as well as overall time to dropout in a 9-month residential TC. Survival analyses indicated that borderline was the only PD negatively related to overall program retention. In contrast, ASPD, as well as histrionic PD, were related to very early attrition, but not to overall program retention. Early assessment and identification of at-risk individuals may improve treatment retention and outcome for TC treatment.
DOI10.1007/s10995-010-0650-3
Alternate JournalAm J Addict

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