Personality scores and licit and illicit substance use

The effects of personality structure on subsequent substance use was examined. Data were collected from 841 men from Zürich questioned twice at the age of 19 and 22 about drug use and personality. Multiple regression and canonical correlation analysis methodology indicated a significant relationship between personality and subsequent substance use. Illicit drug consumption was positively related to the personality scale Depressiveness and negatively to Dominance and Excitability, cigarette consumption correlated with Nervousness and Sociability and alcohol consumption was related to Nervousness, Depressiveness and Sociability. The association of illicit drug use with Emotional Lability decreased when cigarette and alcohol consumption was included in the analysis. The cannabis users described themselves less neurotic than the consumers of alcohol and cigarettes.