A Psychometric Study of the Prevalence of DSM-m Personality Disorders Among Treated Opiate Addicts

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Abstract
Using the DSM-III criteria for personality disorders, prevalence rates of these disorders were evaluated, among opiate addicts in treatment, with a psychometric test.sbd.the Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventory. We found that 27% of addicts met criteria for multiple personality disorders. While all 11 DSM-III disorders were diagnosed in our sample, the disorders of antisocial (22%), narcissistic (18%), borderline (16%), and dependent (16%) were more frequent among opiate addicts. These rates were compared to two similar studies that used SADS/RDC criteria with addicts, and the similarities and differences were noted. It is suggested that future research compare rates using both structured psychiatric interviews and psychometric tests to determine the extent of instrument variance on prevalence rates estimates.