Changes in Social, Romantic, and General Life Satisfaction Over the Course of a Substance Use Disorder

Background: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of social connection for health and well-being. Satisfaction across domains of life is associated with substance use outcomes, such as risk of relapse and mortality. Previous work has delineated the relationship between substance use and social connections, yet there is a lack of research exploring the relationship between substance use and satisfaction with domains of life over time.Methods: We retrospectively assessed satisfaction with social life, romantic life, and general life across five phases of substance use among 339 adults, of whom 289 identify as formerly having a problem with substance use, and a comparison group of 50 who report no history of problematic drug use. We compared those whose primary drug of choice was alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, non-prescription opioids, and prescription opioids.Results: Those who used prescription opioids reported a larger drop in satisfaction in social life, romantic life, and general life during the course of substance use than those who used other drugs. However, we report no significant differences in current satisfaction, social well-being, or quality of life between people in recovery and people with no history of problematic substance use.Conclusions: These findings—alongside neuropsychological work on the opioid system and sociality—paint a picture that those who formerly used prescription opioids may experience lower satisfaction across life domains during the course of their substance use than those who used other substances. However, people in prolonged recovery—regardless of their drug of choice—all show similar levels of satisfaction compared to people with no history of problematic substance use.

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A Social History of Problematic Substance Use

Social Work with Substance Users ◽

10.4135/9781446288849.n2 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 5-18

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Social History ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

History Of

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The relationship between interpersonal trauma and substance misuse in pregnancy

British Journal of Midwifery ◽

10.12968/bjom.2019.27.9.578 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (9) ◽

pp. 578-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Naomi Waddell ◽

Thanos Karatzias

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Substance Misuse ◽

Interpersonal Trauma ◽

Obstetric Outcomes ◽

Quantitative Methodology ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

Strong Body ◽

The Relationship

BackgroundThere is a strong body of evidence supporting associations between interpersonal trauma (IPT) and substance use; however, this tends to focus on associations between childhood trauma and substance use in non-pregnant populations. Neonatal and obstetric outcomes are poorer among pregnant women with problematic substance use, yet few studies have explored IPT as a possible mechanism underlying their use of substances.AimTo explore the literature regarding the relationship between IPT and substance misuse among pregnant women.MethodA systematic search of relevant databases was conducted and a narrative review of the literature was undertaken. Titles, abstracts and full articles were screened against inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and quality assessed.FindingsA total of 15 studies were identified that suggested associations between negative life events and substance misuse in pregnant women/new mothers.ConclusionsAlthough a link between IPT and substance misuse is suggested, this review has highlighted a number of important gaps in the literature that warrant further investigation. These include a paucity of UK-based studies, and a lack of research that fully explores possible associations between IPT and substance use in pregnant women. Moreover, research to date has employed quantitative methodology.

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Financial sanctions and the justice system: Fine debts among New South Wales prisoners with a history of problematic substance use

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology ◽

10.1177/0004865811405258 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 258-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kristy Martire ◽

Sandra Sunjic ◽

Libby Topp ◽

Devon Indig

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Justice System ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

South Wales ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

History Of

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Minority stress, emotion regulation, and substance misuse in sexual minorities

10.31234/osf.io/cxv5z ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew H. Rogers ◽

Ilana Seager ◽

Nathaniel Haines ◽

Hunter Hahn ◽

Amelia Aldao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Substance Use ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Substance Misuse ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

Goal Directed Behavior ◽

The Relationship

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals report higher levels of alcohol and substance misuse than their heterosexual peers, and previous research has linked these increased rates to LGB-specific stressors, termed minority stress. However, not everyone experiencing minority stress reports increased rates of alcohol and substance misuse. Emotion regulation (ER), which plays a critical role in psychopathology generally, is postulated to modulate the link between minority stress and psychopathology. However, it remains largely unknown whether ER plays a role in linking instances of minority stress with substance and alcohol use outcomes. To address the gap, the current study assessed 305 LGB individuals’ instances of minority stress, ER, and substance and alcohol use outcomes. We assessed the role of ER in alcohol and substance misuse among LGB individuals using moderated logistic regression and exploratory machine learning analyses. Moderated binary logistic regressions revealed that emotional non-acceptance moderated the relationship between minority stress and problematic substance use, such that those with poor ER were more likely to have problematic substance use. Additionally, deficits in goal-directed behavior moderated the relationship between minority stress and alcohol and substance use, but those with more deficits in goal-directed behavior had better outcomes. Exploratory machine learning analysis revealed multivariate patterns of additional facets of ER and psychiatric symptoms that are predictive of alcohol and substance use. These results highlight the important explanatory role that ER may have between instances of minority stress and substance and alcohol use in LGB individuals.

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Community Based Interventions for Problematic Substance Use in Later Life: A Systematic Review of Evaluated Studies and Their Outcomes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17217994 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 7994

Author(s):

Trish Hafford-Letchfield ◽

Tricia McQuarrie ◽

Carmel Clancy ◽

Betsy Thom ◽

Briony Jain

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Substance Use ◽

Older People ◽

Age Groups ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Based Interventions ◽

Complex Needs ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Problematic Substance

Problematic substance use (PSU) in later life is a growing global problem of significant concern in tandem with a rapidly ageing global population. Prevention and interventions specifically designed for older people are not common, and those designed for mixed-age groups may fail to address the unique and sometimes complex needs of ageing communities. We report findings from a systematic review of the empirical evidence from studies which formally evaluated interventions used with older people and reported their outcomes. Nineteen studies were included, of which thirteen focused solely on alcohol-related problems. Eight interventions utilised different types of screening, brief advice and education. The remaining drew on behavioural, narrative and integrated or multi-disciplinary approaches, which aimed to meet older people’s needs holistically. Quality assessment of study design helped to review evaluation practice. Findings point to recommendations for sustainable and well-designed intervention strategies for PSU in later life, which purposefully align with other areas of health and well-being and are delivered in locations where older people normally seek, or receive, help. There is further scope for engagement with older people’s own perspectives on their needs and help-seeking behaviours. Economic evaluation of the outcome of interventions would also be useful to establish the value of investing in targeted services to this underserved population.

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Substance Use After Release from Prison

10.1093/med/9780199374847.003.0006 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Larney ◽

Mark Stoové ◽

Stuart A. Kinner

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Drug Use ◽

Structural Factors ◽

Interpersonal Factors ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Poor Access ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

History Of ◽

The Individual ◽

Release From Prison

This chapter discusses the substantial proportion of prisoners globally who have a history of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and dependence. Incarceration usually provides a period of abstinence or reduced substance use, but this reduction is often transientand many ex-prisoners rapidly return to pre-incarceration levels of substance use. Substance use after release from prison is affected by both individual factors, such as substance use history and personal expectations, and interpersonal factors, such as social networks. Released prisoners often return to environments in which drugs are readily available and substance use is accepted or normative. Structural factors, such as poor access to substance use treatment and other health services, unstable housing and limited employment options, can create additional stressors that increase the risk of harmful substance use. Given the paucity of epidemiological evidence, the natural history of substance use after release from prison remains poorly understood. In particular, there is a dearth of evidence relating to resumption of alcohol, tobacco, and non-injecting illicit drug use following release from prison. Furthermore, although substance use in ex-prisoners is affected by structural and interpersonal factors, interventions to address problematic substance use typically focus on the individual. Additional research in this area is urgently needed to inform evidence-based policies and interventions.

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Lessons learned in COVID-19: mothers with problematic substance use and involvement with child protective services need support to promote family well-being

Community Work & Family ◽

10.1080/13668803.2021.1975650 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Hanna Valeriote ◽

Karen Milligan

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Child Protective Services ◽

Well Being ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Protective Services ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Need Support ◽

Problematic Substance

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Former inpatients’ narratives of substance use four years after substance use disorder treatment: A qualitative follow-up study

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ◽

10.1177/14550725211050765 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 145507252110507

Author(s):

Jacob Hystad ◽

Turid Wangensteen

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Treatment Outcome ◽

Substance Use Disorder ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Well Being ◽

Analysis Model ◽

Successful Treatment Outcome ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

Pre Treatment

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the narratives of former substance use disorder (SUD) inpatients about substance use after their discharge from long-term SUD treatment in 2017. Method: We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 11 former inpatients of SUD treatment. The data were analysed using a qualitative, thematic analysis model. Findings: During the analysis, two main themes emerged pertaining to participant reflections on substance use – their experience of non-problematic substance use (that is, substance use without declining into pre-treatment levels of misuse behaviours) and problematic substance use (that is, substance use associated with destructive patterns). All participants except one had engaged in substance use after their discharge three to four years ago. The commonly used substance was alcohol, which also appeared to be the most common substance for which there was consensus among the informants regarding non-problematic use. Conclusions: Most of the participants continued to use substances in some way, and some reported that such use did not affect them negatively. Healthcare providers and therapists in SUD treatment should avoid defining a relapse or failed treatment outcome in concrete terms. What is perceived as an actual relapse or a failed treatment outcome is highly subjective. Furthermore, complete sobriety might not necessarily be the best or the only way to measure the SUD treatment stay. An improvement in the quality of life and well-being, even when core symptoms are still present, may be considered a successful treatment outcome.

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