Borderline personality disorder and drug addictions. Patient’s treatments in Public Drug Addiction Services (PDAS) and in Therapeutic Communities (TC).

Abstract The purpose of the research is to analyse the management models of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Substances Use Disorders. The issue has only recently raised an interest and the clinical approach is still at the beginning. The participants are 15 operators of which 8 people working at a Public Drug Addiction Service (PDAS) and 7 people working in a TC (TC). The method was a semi-structured interview, recorded, transcribed and then analyzed by means of a computer assisted content analysis (software Atlas.ti). On the basis of results, the study reports a summary of the mostly employed management strategies with BDP and SUDS patients and of the limitations such approaches imply. Strengths and weaknesses emerge from the analysis of the take in charge strategies that offers a valuable starting point for discussion and it can also improve present treatment approaches.