A personality disorder can affect how you think, feel, and relate to others, and getting support early can protect your well-being. Without care, long-standing patterns may lead to antisocial behavior or addictive behavior, which can make daily life harder. If you notice growing sensitivity, pessimism, or shifts in self-image and relationships, help is available. Our mental health treatment programs focus on understanding the root causes and matching care to your goals. To talk with our team at Recovery Ranch PA in Wrightsville, call 888.289.2169.
What to know about personality disorders
Personality disorders are mental health conditions shaped by environmental factors, genetics, and life experiences. A clinician will review your history, strengths, and current symptoms to understand which personality disorder may be present and whether any co-occurring disorders are contributing.
What are the types of personality disorders?
Clinicians commonly group personality disorders into clusters. Examples include:
- Borderline personality disorder, a complex mental health disorder that involves emotional instability, intense mood swings, and challenges with impulse control, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. People may struggle with real or imagined abandonment
- Narcissistic personality disorder, which can involve a need for admiration, heightened sensitivity to criticism, and a complicated self-image
- Avoidant personality disorder, often related to social anxiety and fear of rejection
- Antisocial personality disorder, which can involve disregard for rules or others’ rights and increased risk of addictive behavior
Personality disorders vary widely. Your diagnosis, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), is based on patterns that persist over time and across settings, and impact your functioning. The American Psychiatric Association outlines diagnostic criteria in DSM‑5‑TR so clinicians can make accurate, compassionate assessments in clinical practice.
What are the signs of personality disorders?
Every person is unique, but common warning signs can include:
- Difficulty managing emotions like anger or frustration
- Emotional distress that feels overwhelming
- Unstable relationships or feeling disconnected
- Intense and unstable relationships that cycle quickly
- Impulsivity in spending, sex, substance use, or other areas that carry risk
- Negative beliefs about yourself or others, chronic feelings of emptiness, or inappropriate anger
- Bouts of intense emotions that disrupt work, school, or home life
These signs do not mean you definitely have a mental health disorder. If patterns are disrupting your life, a professional assessment can clarify next steps.
Personality disorder and addiction: understanding the complex relationship
Co-occurring disorders happen when a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder are present together. Many people experience a personality disorder and addiction at the same time. Shared risk factors like genetics, trauma, and environmental factors can contribute to both conditions. Integrated care treats the two disorders together, which improves treatment outcomes for many people.
How treatment for personality disorders can help
Getting help through a personality disorder treatment center, such as Recovery Ranch PA, can reduce risk and support your recovery journey. Early, evidence-based care may lessen emotional instability and help you build coping mechanisms that fit your life. Treatment is individualized, and can include:
- Individual therapy and group therapy that strengthen emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance
- Skills training for impulse control and decision making
- Coordinated care for co-occurring disorder needs, such as substance use disorder, eating disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, or bipolar disorder
- Medication management when appropriate, since prescription medications may help specific symptoms
Our addiction therapy programs in Wrightsville can be part of an integrated plan when substance abuse or substance dependence is present alongside a personality disorder.
Borderline personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and substance use
People with borderline personality disorder are at increased risk for substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder. Some turn to substances for temporary relief of emotional pain or intense emotions. Substance use can worsen BPD symptoms, including impulsivity, unstable relationships, and mood swings, which complicates the recovery process.
How borderline personality disorder is diagnosed
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that impacts emotional regulation and relationships, often showing as intense and unstable relationships, rapid shifts in self image, and impulsivity. Clinicians use criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual to guide accurate diagnosis of BPD and other suspected disorders. Many people with BPD live with co-occurring substance use disorder needs, and treating the two together can improve outcomes.
Why borderline personality disorder treatment often includes DBT skills
For borderline personality disorder, clinicians often use dialectical behavior therapy, a structured approach that teaches emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and strategies to improve interpersonal relationships. DBT is widely used for borderline personality disorders in clinical practice, and it can support safer choices around substance use for comorbid substance concerns.
Learn more about BPD and common therapies from the National Institute of Mental Health and Mayo Clinic.
Personality disorder and addiction: what integrated care looks like at Recovery Ranch PA
At Recovery Ranch PA in Wrightsville, we coordinate care for co-occurring disorders, which means you can work on both addiction and mental health at the same time. This includes:
- A thorough assessment to clarify diagnosis based on DSM‑5‑TR criteria
- Therapy focused on emotional regulation, identity, and interpersonal relationships, with attention to inappropriate anger or intense mood swings
- Support for substance use disorders, including education about triggers, cravings, and safer coping strategies
- Family or partner sessions to address the complex relationship impacts that personality disorders and substance use can create
If you are seeking help for a personality disorder and addiction for yourself or a loved one, you can reach us at 888.289.2169.
The treatment process, step by step
Step 1, intake and assessment: You meet with licensed professionals who review your history, strengths, risk factors, and goals. Many people arrive with co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depressive symptoms that also need attention.
Step 2, collaborative planning: Together we set measurable goals; for example, reducing emotional distress, building social supports, and decreasing substance use.
Step 3, evidence-based care: Your care team will recommend therapies that fit your diagnosis and life. When substance use is present, integrated plans address both addiction treated and personality disorder needs.
Step 4, skills and support: You practice coping mechanisms for triggers, build healthy routines, and learn relapse prevention tools tailored to both addiction and mental health.
Step 5, ongoing care: Maintenance therapy and community supports can help you continue progress after primary treatment.
Connect with Recovery Ranch PA in Wrightsville
Recovery Ranch PA provides compassionate, individualized care for personality disorders and co-occurring addiction in Wrightsville and surrounding south‑central Pennsylvania communities. Contact our team at 888.289.2169, or explore our addiction therapy programs in Wrightsville to see how integrated care can support your recovery process.
Mental health care that addresses disorder and addiction together can reduce risk, build stability in interpersonal relationships, and support a safer recovery journey. When you are ready to start, we are here to help you take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Borderline personality disorder treatment centers typically offer therapies such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, individual counseling, and sometimes medication management.
A personality disorder diagnosis at specialized treatment centers is usually made through comprehensive psychological assessments, clinical interviews, and standardized diagnostic criteria such as those outlined in the DSM-5.
Recovery options for individuals with borderline personality disorder include inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, ongoing therapy, medication management, and participation in support groups.
Treatment centers develop personalized treatment plans by conducting thorough assessments, considering the individual’s unique symptoms and needs, and collaborating with the patient to set specific goals and select appropriate therapies.
Yes, many treatment centers offer support groups and ongoing counseling services to help individuals manage personality disorders and maintain progress after initial treatment.