Comparison of Clinical Personality Patterns and Severe Personality Pathologies in Narcotic Substance Abusers with and Without Non-suicidal Self-Injury

Introduction: Due to personality issues, individuals who abuse narcotic substances are more prone to self-harm than the general population. The aim of this study is to compare clinical personality patterns and severe personality pathologies in narcotic substance abusers with and without non-suicidal self-injury.Method: This descriptive study employed a causal-comparative design. The statistical population for this research includes all individuals who abuse narcotic substances and have been referred to addiction centers. The study participants consisted of 115 individuals who abused narcotic substances and exhibited non-suicidal self-injury, as well as 130 individuals who abused narcotic substances but did not engage in non-suicidal self-injury. Participants were recruited from addiction centers and selected based on their responses to the self-harm questionnaire developed by Sanson et al. (with a score of 5) and through clinical interviews. Research data were collected using the Self-Harm Questionnaire developed by Sanson et al. (1998) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-3 (1994). A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to analyze the data.Results: The results indicated significant differences in clinical personality patterns and severe personality pathologies among narcotic substance abusers with non-suicidal self-injury (P < 0.05). In other words, this research indicates that individuals who abuse narcotic substances and engage in non-suicidal self-injury exhibit a greater prevalence of clinical personality patterns (with the exception of narcissistic and sadistic traits) and severe personality pathologies.Discussion and conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that individuals who abuse narcotic substances and exhibit severe personality pathologies, along with clinical personality patterns, are at a heightened risk for personality and psychological issues. By implementing preventive measures, as well as educational and therapeutic interventions, we can help safeguard these individuals from further complications.