When two health conditions co-occur, this phenomenon is known as comorbidity. These conditions may not necessarily cause each other, but their frequent coexistence suggests a medical linkage. For individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), substance abuse is commonly a concurrent issue.
Research from the National Institutes of Mental Health indicates that approximately 1.6% of adults in the United States are affected by BPD. This condition often emerges in early adulthood and is marked by a pattern of unstable relationships, mood swings, and a fluctuating sense of self. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, two-thirds of those diagnosed with BPD also battle with substance abuse.
Complications Arising from Substance Misuse
The misuse of substances like tobacco, alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs complicates the treatment of BPD. While these substances might temporarily alleviate the emotional distress associated with BPD, they ultimately heighten emotional instability. The initial numbing effects quickly dissipate, leaving behind a trail of poor decisions and impulsive behaviours spurred by substance abuse.
Substance use problems can be categorised into dependence or abuse. Both categories involve detrimental relationships with substances, but abuse signifies a level of use associated with more severe negative consequences.
Understanding Dependence
Dependence is characterised by an increasing tolerance to the substance, necessitating more significant amounts to achieve the same effect. What might begin as using a small amount to relax escalates into a need for substantially more. Dependence also involves a significant amount of time spent acquiring, using, or recovering from the effects of the substance. It becomes a central aspect of the person’s life, often leading to the exclusion of social activities not centred around substance use and continuing usage despite adverse psychological or physical effects.
Defining Abuse
Substance abuse encompasses all elements of dependence and extends further to interfere with an individual’s functioning in daily life. This might manifest as an inability to perform at work or fulfil vital responsibilities, often accompanied by legal troubles such as arrests for DUI or theft to support the habit. At this level, substance use severely disrupts relationships and continues despite clear physical risks.
Impact on Borderline Personality Disorder
For individuals with BPD, substance abuse exacerbates the symptoms of their disorder significantly. It can reduce the effectiveness of medications intended to treat BPD and, paradoxically, intensify cravings for the substance driven by the stress of the worsening condition.
Given the high rate of comorbidity, BPD patients must be counselled against using substances like alcohol or any drugs not prescribed by a healthcare professional. When substance abuse is already an issue, therapy for BPD should be supplemented with participation in established recovery programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Without addressing substance abuse, effectively managing BPD symptoms remains an elusive goal.
