scholarly journals Levels of mental distress over 18 years after entering treatment for substance use disorders: A longitudinal cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-364
Author(s):  
Arne Jan Hjemsæter ◽  
Jørgen G Bramness ◽  
Robert Drake ◽  
Ivar Skeie ◽  
Bent Monsbakken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Integrated Treatment ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Identification Test ◽  
Problematic Substance ◽  
Over Time

Aims: The aims were to investigate whether baseline characteristics and problematic substance use were related to change in mental distress over time in patients with substance use disorders during an 18-year period. Method: This was a prospective, longitudinal study of patients followed for 18 years after entering specialised treatment for substance use disorders. A sample of 291 patients was recruited in 1997 and 1998. Mental distress was measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25 at baseline, and at six and 18 years. Lifetime psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders at baseline were measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, while personality disorders were measured using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II. At the six- and 18-year follow-ups, substance use was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test. Linear mixed model was estimated to assess the overall level of mental distress over 18 years for participants with complete data at baseline ( n = 232). Results: In an adjusted model, problematic substance use assessed simultaneously with mental distress, having lifetime affective, anxiety and personality disorder at baseline were associated with greater levels of mental distress over the 18-year period. The change in mental distress from baseline to the six-year, but not to the 18-year, follow-up was significantly larger among females than among males. Conclusion: The results suggests a reciprocal relationship over time between substance use and mental health problems. Also, there seems to be an additive effect between ongoing problematic substance use and lifetime mental disorders on greater levels of mental distress. This addresses the importance of integrated treatment for both substance use disorders and mental disorders to improve the long-term course for patients with these comorbid disorders.

Why Should We Focus on Emerging Adults with Substance Use Disorders?

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
First Language ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Treatment Access ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Problematic Substance

Emerging adulthood (roughly ages 18–29) is the lifespan period when the peak prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) and substance use occurs. Opportunities for prevention and intervention abound during these years. This chapter provides a brief introduction to the concept of emerging adulthood, as well as a laundry list of terms used to describe problematic substance use. The chapter argues that we must be mindful of using person-first language and, based on available stigma research, advocates for use of the term substance use disorder. The chapter then presents a strong rationale for creating more developmentally appropriate treatments for emerging adults. This rationale is based on three pillars: (1) emerging adults’ current underrepresentation in large outcome studies, (2) existing disparities in treatment outcomes between emerging adults and individuals in other age groups, and (3) the possibility of expanded substance use treatment access under healthcare reform.

scholarly journals Disentangling substance use and related problems: urgency predicts substance-related problems beyond the degree of use

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin K. Hildebrandt ◽  
Raoul Dieterich ◽  
Tanja Endrass
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Delay Discounting ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Problematic Substance ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Substance use disorders are reliably associated with high impulsivity and sensation seeking. Importantly, both precede problematic substance use, implicating them as risk factors. Individuals with substance use disorders show variable degrees of substance use (combined quantity and frequency) and substance-related problems and differ in both aspects from healthy controls. Dimensional research has indicated differential associations of impulsivity-related traits as well as sensation seeking with the degree of substance use and substance-related problems. The current study aimed to clarify whether impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking predict substance-related problems above and beyond the degree of substance use and are thus specifically linked to problems, the dimension that characterizes substance use disorders. Method We assessed impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking using self-report, as well as delay discounting, a behavioral indicator of impulsivity, in a sample of 258 substance-using adults. Results Sensation seeking and impulsivity-related traits significantly predicted the degree of substance use, with sensation seeking explaining the largest portion of variance. In contrast, self-reported impulsivity, in particular when experiencing negative emotions (urgency), but not sensation seeking or delay discounting, predicted substance-related problems when controlling for the degree of substance use. Conclusions This suggests that urgency, but not sensation seeking, may be specifically linked to substance-related problems and thus especially relevant for substance use disorders. Taken together, this study underlines the necessity to assess and control for the degree of substance use in risk factor research concerning substance-related problems. Thus, it may inform future research improving targeted prevention and therapy.

scholarly journals Disentangling Substance Use and Disorder: Urgency, But Not Sensation Seeking, Predicts Substance-Related Problems Above and Beyond The Degree of Substance Use.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Hildebrandt ◽  
Raoul Dieterich ◽  
Tanja Endrass
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Delay Discounting ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Problematic Substance ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Substance use disorders are reliably associated with high impulsivity and sensation seeking. Importantly, both precede problematic substance use, implicating them as risk factors. Individuals with substance use disorders show variable degrees of substance use (combined quantity and frequency) and substance-related problems and differ in both aspects from healthy controls. Dimensional research has indicated differential associations of impulsivity-related traits as well as sensation seeking with the degree of substance use and substance-related problems. The current study aimed to clarify whether impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking predict substance-related problems above and beyond the degree of substance use and are thus specifically linked to problems, the dimension that characterizes substance use disorders. Method: We assessed impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking using self-report, as well as delay discounting, a behavioral indicator of impulsivity, in a sample of 258 substance-using adults. Results: Sensation seeking and impulsivity-related traits significantly predicted the degree of substance use, with sensation seeking explaining the largest portion of variance. In contrast, self-reported impulsivity, in particular when experiencing negative emotions (urgency), but not sensation seeking or delay discounting, predicted substance-related problems when controlling for the degree of substance use. Conclusions: This suggests that urgency, but not sensation seeking, may be specifically linked to substance-related problems and thus especially relevant for substance use disorders. Taken together, this study underlines the necessity to assess and control for the degree of substance use in risk factor research concerning substance-related problems. Thus, it may inform future research improving targeted prevention and therapy.

scholarly journals Predictors of problematic substance use 18 years after treatment: a longitudinal cohort study of persons with substance use disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1634325
Author(s):  
Arne Jan Hjemsæter ◽  
Jørgen Gustav Bramness ◽  
Robert Drake ◽  
Ivar Skeie ◽  
Bent Monsbakken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort Study ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Problematic Substance
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