An assessment of Personality profile of people with substance use disorders in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Personality characteristics play an important role in shaping substance use patterns, yet little is known about this relationship in North-Central Nigeria. This study examined the personality profiles of individuals with substance use disorders admitted at the Centre for Addiction Treatment and Research, Vom, Plateau State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and all inpatients who provided informed consent were included. Data were collected using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) alongside sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires. The majority of participants were young, single males with a mean age of 29.6 years. Alcohol was the most commonly abused substance, followed by opioids and cannabis. High rates of comorbid conditions such as depression, PTSD, hypertension, and HIV/AIDS were observed. Personality assessment revealed a predominance of antisocial, paranoid, and schizoid traits among respondents. These findings underscore the strong association between maladaptive personality patterns and substance abuse in this setting. Incorporating personality assessment into substance use treatment may enhance clinical outcomes by informing tailored therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: Assessment, Personality traits, people, Substance use disorders, Jos Nigeria