Journal of Research in Personality 38 (2004) 515–535 www.elsevier.com/locate/jrp 0092-6566/$ - see front matter  2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2004.01.002 On the relationship between substance use and personality traits: Abstainers are not maladjusted , Kate E. Walton ¤ and Brent W. Roberts Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA Available online 14 April 2004 Abstract Two studies were conducted to test the relationship between substance use and personality. Participants in Study 1 (N D 118) completed measures of the Big Five and additional personal- ity inventories and were classiWed as alcohol and drug abstainers, moderate users, or heavy users based on self-reports of substance use. In Study 2, observer ratings of personality (N D 172) were gathered in addition to self-reports (N D 545). Across both studies and self and observer ratings, heavy users consistently scored lower than the other groups on measures of conscientiousness, impulse control, and agreeableness. Abstainers scored lower than moderate and heavy users on extraversion. Contrary to some previous research (e.g., Shedler & Block, 1990), moderate users were not more emotionally stable than abstainers.  2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction The research to date on the personality correlates of substance use paints a grim picture of the drug and alcohol abuser. A host of negative characteristics have been associated with substance use, from neuroticism to impulsivity. Findings indicate that heavy alcohol or illicit drug (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, barbiturate, heroin, etc.) use is often related to depression (Dorus & Senay, 1980; Holland, 1977; Skinner &  This research was supported by a grant from the Research Board of the University of Illinois and Grants R03 AG19414 and R01 AG21178 from the National Institute of Aging.  Dr. Howard Tennen served as action editor for this manuscript. ¤ Corresponding author. E-mail address: walton@cyrus.psych.uiuc.edu (K.E. Walton).