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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Alexandre B. Laudet, PhD, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71West 23rd Street, 8th floor, New York City, NY 10010, 212-845-4520, laudet@ndri.org, Stephen Magura, PhD, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc, 71 West 23rd Street, 8th fl, New York City, NY 10010, Howard S. Vogel, CSW, Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc., 261 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206, and Edward L. Knight, PhD, Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc, 261 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206.
About one-half of substance users have a comorbid psychiatric disorder, which is associated with greater impairment and poorer prognosis. Dually-diagnosed (DD) persons in recovery report significantly more difficulty with addiction than with mental health (MH). Most theories of the causes of substance abuse among DD have received little support; few have explored individuals' stated reasons for substance use. Such individual perceptions may drive substance use and thus merit further inquiry. This study examines DD persons' reasons for substance use and its relation to MH. Ss were 310 members of a dual-focus self-help recovery group. Primacy of onset: MH before substance use (35%), substance use first (54%), both at same age (11%). Ss initiated substance use at 17 years (mean) in response to peer pressure (58%), emotional issues (12%) or because caretakers were users (12%); 31% also used drugs to cope with first MH symptoms. Most frequent first substances: Alcohol (87%) and marijuana (61%). Triggers to drug use: negative emotional states (e.g., lonely, bored, angry: 54%), stress (40%) and temptations to use (33%). Mean length of use=19 years with 2 abstinent periods. Reasons for stopping drug use: wanting a better life (54%) and negative consequences of drug use (12%). Ss (69%) reported that symptoms get worse with substance use, and 44% feel like using "very much" when experiencing symptoms. Findings suggest a complex association between substance use and mental disorders among DD individuals. Clinical implications are discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to
Keywords: Co-morbid, Substance Abuse Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.