Article

Per Nielsen & Steffen R⊘jskjær: Dual disorder among alcohol addicted inpatient clients This study examines the prevalence and subtypes of personality disorders among alcohol-addicted inpatients, and the impact on drop out during treatment. The study is the first phase of a prospective study of dual disorder clients (alcohol addiction and personality disorder). Subjects were 104 clients with severe alcohol problems consecutively admitted to a Danish addiction treatment center (Ring-gaarden) applying a cognitive frame of reference. Each client was tested during the first two weeks using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI II-I). According to the psychological testing seven out of eight subjects manifested at least one personality disorder – and 65% of the clients had two or more personality disorders. Anti-social and/or passive-aggressive personality disorder was present in more than 50% of the subjects. Borderline personality disorder was found in about 30%. More than half of the subjects had elevated scores of anxiety and/or dysthymia. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct subtypes of clients: a. no/slight personality disorder, b. “avoidant/dependent”, c. “antisocial/narcissistic” and d. “borderline”. The drop-out rate was significantly higher for the “borderline” group than for the other three. The implications for treatment are discussed.