Change in Personality Functioning During Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment: An Observational Study.
Abstract
Background
Successful treatment of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) requires not only a reduction in substance use but also improvements in personality functioning. This study aimed to identify which aspects of personality functioning improve during residential SUD treatment.
Methods
The study was conducted at a Norwegian residential SUD treatment facility offering 3-6-month programs for young adults. The sample consisted of 80 patients diagnosed with SUD (mean age = 24 years; 62.5% male, 37.5% female). Personality functioning was assessed using the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-118) at the start of treatment and after an average of 150 days (median = 103 days) in residential care.
Results
According to the paired-sample t-tests, there were statistically significant improvements in 11 out of 16 SIPP-118 facets (subscales). Effortful control (p < 0.001, d = 0.50) and Emotion regulation (p = 0.002, d = 0.36) were among the facets with the greatest improvements. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in Intimacy or Enduring relationships.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that personality functioning related to self-control improves during residential SUD treatment, whereas relational capacity showed minimal change over time.