Perceived reasons for substance misuse among persons with a psychiatric disorder.
The etiology of substance use among persons with severe mental illness remains unclear. This study investigates stated reasons for substance use among persons in recovery from co-occurring disorders of serious mental illness and substance abuse and dependence. The desire to fit in with peers played a key role in the initiation of substance use; boredom, loneliness, temptations to use, and stress were cited most as relapse triggers. The authors discuss the need for dually diagnosed persons to develop sobriety-supporting peer networks to help them learn adaptive strategies to deal with the stress of recovery; further, treatment programs should instill hope for recovery and provide opportunities for meaningful activities and relationships.
Laudet
Alexandra B
AB
National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., New York, NY 10010, USA. laudet@ndri.org
Magura
Stephen
S
Vogel
Howard S
HS
Knight
Edward L
EL
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires