Psychological and interpersonal distress among patiens with substance use disorders: Are these factors associated with continued drug use and do they change during treatment?

Abstract

This study aimed to test whether self-efficacy, interpersonal problems and psychological distress are significantly associated with substance use and if the factors associated with substance use are the same factors that are subject to change in treatment for patients with substance use disorders. The sample consisted of 346 respondents, sampled from 16 treatment facilities for substance use disorder treatment in Norway. Self-efficacy, interpersonal problems (sum score and sub scales) and psychological distress (sum scale and sub scales) were significantly associated with substance use. The results suggest a gap between factors associated with substance use problems and factors that are subject to change in treatment.