In recent years, many cases of substance abuse have been associated with personality disorders, although there is still a muddy grey area that researchers are trying to discern between. Of the more common instances of these dual diagnoses, there is a complicated connection between alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder, or ASPD (which is also known as dissocial personality disorder, or DPD).

ASPD is a particular type of of personality disorder that is akin to sociopathy, in the sense that symptoms of such a disorder often involve a lack of regard for other individuals, as well as a stunted sense of common empathy. Because of this, many individuals with ASPD can often develop a troubled history with law enforcement, job history, and their own familial lives. The causes of ASPD can vary from from environmental effects of how an individual was raised, or can be more caustic, and stem from traumatic events or even brain injuries, although much research needs to be done.