Exploring the Personality Traits of Substance Users

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between personality traits and substance use across different drug categories, including heroin, cannabis, alcohol, sedatives, and methamphetamine (ice) users. The research was relevant as it provided insight into the personality characteristics that contribute to substance use and how these traits influence treatment outcomes. Existing literature suggests that substance use often correlates with specific personality patterns, such as impulsivity, introversion, and aggression. Using a qualitative research design, the study employed thematic analysis to examine data from individual interviews with one participant from each drug category, yielding a total sample size of five. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, and the analysis focused on identifying prevalent themes and sub-themes related to personality traits. The findings revealed that different substance users exhibited distinct personality traits, with heroin users showing mood instability and low decision-making, cannabis users displaying defensiveness and low self-esteem, and ice users exhibiting aggressiveness and guilt. Sedative users, on the other hand, tended to be introverted, humble, and family-oriented. These results contribute to the understanding of how personality traits affect substance use patterns and have implications for tailoring therapeutic interventions. Limitations of the study include the small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, which may limit generalizability. Future research should explore larger samples and longitudinal designs to better understand the causal relationships between personality traits and substance use.