Differences among substance abusers in Spain who recovered with treatment or on their own.
This exploratory study compared the differences among substance abusers in Spain who recovered with treatment or on their own. Advertisements were used to recruit 58 individuals (29 self-changers and 29 treatment-changers) who had had problems with alcohol or drugs, and who had been recovered for at least one year. The groups differed significantly in severity of dependence, psychiatric treatment prior to recovery, and coping strategies to maintain recovery. Consistent with previous studies, those who had recovered through treatment had a more serious substance use history than those who changed on their own. In addition, social support was associated with maintenance of change for both groups. These findings parallel those for English-speaking populations.
Carballo
José Luis
JL
Grupo de conductas adictivas, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain. jlcarballu@cop.es
Fernández-Hermida
José Ramon
JR
Sobell
Linda Carter
LC
Dum
Mariam
M
Secades-Villa
Roberto
R
García-Rodríguez
Olaya
O
Errasti-Pérez
José Manuel
JM
Alhalabí-Diaz
Susana
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*