Variables of clinical interest in the cognitive behavioral treatment of cocaine addiction: The specifi city of personality disorders

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the association between social interaction variables and premature cessation of treatment, psychological adjustment and quality of life, as a function of co-existing diagnoses of personality disorders. The sample was composed of 95 individuals who commenced treatment for cocaine addiction. Of the sample, 53.7% had personality disorders diagnoses. The results highlight the relevance of addressing dysfunctional coping styles during early stages of treatment, especially coping styles linked to emotion processing as they associate with lower levels of self-efficacy, lower perceived quality of life, poorer psychosocial adjustment and higher risk of treatment dropout. These deficits are significantly more prominent in individuals with personality disorders, who present lower levels of self-efficacy, self-esteem, optimism, self-control and social skills.