Motives and Personality: A Comparison of Monosubstance and Polysubstance Users

Background and Objectives: Although it is well-known that personality motivates substance use disorder, few studies have systematically compared motives for substance use across drug classes, and even less have compared drug use in relation to personality factors. Methods: The current study examined the relationship between personality by cluster and motives for substance use in treatment-seeking individuals with a current opiate, marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, and polysubstance Use Disorder. Participants (N=433) completed the Inventory of Drug-Taking Situations or and the Inventory of Drinking Situations assessing motives for substance use, and the Millon Multiaxial Inventory-III assessing personality. Results: Motivational differences for drug use were found across the different substance dependent groups. Discussion and conclusion, and scientific significance: The differences revealed in motives for drug use and their relation to different personality may provide a basis for more personalized management and improved longer-term outcomes for individuals