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PAPERS:
PAUL MORAN, CAROLYN COFFEY, ANTHONY MANN, JOHN B. CARLIN, and GEORGE C. PATTON
Personality and substance use disorders in young adults
The British Journal of Psychiatry 2006; 188: 374-379 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read eLetter] This is a naive letter
Woody Caan   (12 April 2006)

This is a naive letter 12 April 2006
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Woody Caan,
Professor of public health
Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK.

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Re: This is a naive letter

a.w.caan{at}anglia.ac.uk Woody Caan

Moran and colleagues (2006) have made a valuable contribution to the epidemiology of mental disorders in the community. I approach their findings about the association between substance use and antisocial or borderline personalities from the perspective of recent research with looked-after or homeless young people (Caan 2006). (While respecting there may also be a contribution from genes) early and prolonged childhood abuse, especially in the absence of any trusted parental figures, seems to occur frequently as a life narrative for young adults with dependent use of substances and also for these associated personality problems. Co- morbid disorders are not associated with good engagement by adult treatment services or with good longterm outcomes. Moran et al show that quite a lot of 24 year olds have two or more overlapping problems (e.g. antisocial, depressed, addicted), which may be 'downstream' from the same early adverse experiences. Is there any epidemiological evidence that in populations where sustained and widespread child protection interventions have been made ('Safeguarding' in the new language of UK Children's Trusts) we might subsequently reduce the point prevalence of adults with these complex psychiatric needs?

Caan, W. Building capacity for social care research. Pages 29-30 in Proceedings of a National Seminar on Social Care Research Capacity. London: Department of Health & Kings College London, 2006.

Moran, P., Coffey, C., Mann, A., Carlin, J.B. & Patton, G.C. Personality and substance use disorders in young adults. Br J Psychiatry 2006; 188: 374-379.