Personality profile and severity of alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: Personality traits are increasingly recognized as determinants in the etiology and course of substance use disorders, including Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS). The Five-Factor Model (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness) offers a framework to examine individual differences influencing addiction vulnerability. Prior findings are inconsistent, and few Indian studies have systematically evaluated these associations. Aim: To investigate the relationship between personality domains, assessed with NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO-FFI-3), and severity of alcohol dependence, measured by the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ), in adult male patients with ADS. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 113 male patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with ADS. Personality traits were measured using NEO-FFI-3, and severity of alcohol dependence was assessed with SADQ. Correlation and Chi-square analyses were performed to evaluate associations between severity of ADS, personality domains, and sociodemographic variables. Results: ADS patients demonstrated higher Neuroticism and Extraversion and lower Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, compared to population norms. Severity of ADS showed a significant but weak positive correlation with Extraversion (r = 0.194, P = 0.04). No significant associations were observed for other traits. Severity was significantly associated with lower education, earlier initiation of alcohol use, longer duration of use, dependent consumption pattern, and greater lifetime alcohol consumption. Conclusion: ADS patients exhibit a distinct personality profile. Among the Big Five, only Extraversion correlated positively with severity of ADS. Sociodemographic and clinical factors, particularly education, age at initiation of alcohol consumption, and chronicity of use, also significantly influenced severity.