CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Numerous studies have been carried out to determine the link between those who abuse drugs and alcohol and those who have personality disorders. The majority of data collected points towards a direct correlation between the two. Depending on the people studied, there is a 50% to 75% chance that a drug or alcohol addict will also suffer from one or more personality disorders. Most of the traits associated with these afflictions can be spotted while an individual is an adolescent. However it may be difficult to differentiate between typical adolescent behavior and the common mental symptoms linked to these disorders.Some specific personality disorders have been shown to result in an increased risk of drug use. One study looked at alcohol dependent patients and found that 20.8% were obsessive compulsive, 10.4% were paranoid and 9.4% were dependent.
When it came to those abusing both cocaine and alcohol, 21% were antisocial, 14.5% were narcissistic and 11.3% were borderline. Other studies have found similar results among those taking other drugs, such as marijuana or opiates.As for which comes first, this depends on the individual involved. In some cases, an addict will self-medicate when suffering from a personality disorder in an attempt to reduce the symptoms or stabilize their emotional state. Likewise, excessive drug use can alter brain chemistry so much that this can trigger the onset of a personality disorder.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is the relationship between drug abuse and personality. The study also endeavoured to ascertain whether abstinence from drugs abuse has any relationship with personality of an individual.
In this context, social service scholar usually tends to look into the cause of drug abuse and also some controversial methods to be adapted in resolving this issues.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Drug abuse has become a controversial issue in today’s world which creates the following problems:
The increasing rates of drug abuse in our society together with its attendant effect have created personality disorder among youth and adolescence in our society.The problem created as the result of drug abuse has adverse effect on family organization of such individual who actively abuse drugs.Drug abuse for instance cause personality disorder at a very alarming rate in our society today and this study is set to examine some of the factors associated with drug abuse and it effect on the personality disorder of an individual in Uyo metropolis.
1:3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To examine the relationship between drug abuse in personality disorder in Uyo metropolis
2. To ascertain whether abstinence from drug abuse has relationship with personality
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is significant in the sense that it will assist youth and adolescence that may venture into abusing drugsin order to guide them against the effect of drug abuse in their personality in future. It is also significant because it shall help policy makers to formulate useful policies that could help minimize the rate of drug abuse in our society.
This studyis also significant in that it shall provide the opportunity for student and youth to know the implications of drug abuse and to enhance the seriousness in the part of the personality management in their life and society at large.
1:5 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The study is base on the relationship between drug abuse and personality in Uyo metropolis. The study assesses the impact of drug abuse on personality building and in immediate society in which the victim found himself or herself.
It willalso asses the harm done and also the essential method that would be adapted to solve the problem in our community.