Study of personality profile of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome patients- A Cross Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Course of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) is studded with multiple relapses. Personality factors are implicated as one of the influencing factors in the course of this disorder. Keeping in view of scarcity of Indian data available, the study was planned with the aim to find Personality traits more commonly associated with ADS patients, and identify specific traits, associated with relapses of ADS. METHOD: Adult participants with alcohol dependence were recruited from the inpatient and outpatient wards for de-addiction in a tertiary care facility in India using a prospective design and followed up after 6 months. Questionnaires administered were revised NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) (Costa and McCrae), Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and Severity of Alcohol Use Disorder Test (SAD-Q) . With sample size of 113 consecutive cases, socio-demographic data was collected and further compared for differences in the dimensions in each of its subscale. RESULTS: The NEO scores, showed statistically significant difference with Cases having higher scores in Neuroticism (64.6%). Neuroticism linked to higher scores of AUDIT and SADQ and also associated with relapses. Other traits also showed statistically significant association which are discussed. CONCLUSION: As new factors are being explored for effective management, routine personality profiling is easily accomplished and can give delightful insight into focused and designed management plan