Quality of life of users of psychoactive substances, relatives, and non-users assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF

Abstract

Quality of life is related to one of the basic human desires, which is to live well and feel good. The scope of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of psychoactive substance users and relatives, compared to non-users, analyzed by socioeconomic strata. A cross-sectional study with users of psychoactive substances, relatives, and other individuals who called the Information and Orientation Service regarding drug abuse. Data collection took place between November 2009 and December 2010. Data was collected from users, relatives, and non-users, including socioeconomic characteristics and data regarding substance consumption when appropriate. In addition to this the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was given to 347 individuals. Among the 138 users (70%) used alcohol, 76 (39%), marijuana, 111 (57%) tobacco, 78 (40%) cocaine and 70 (36%) crack. Control subjects had higher, scores than the relatives of users and users in all areas of the questionnaire (p < 0.05). Psychoactive substance users scored lower in almost all domains and overall score in the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in comparison with the sample of non-drug users. These findings reflect poor quality of life of patients and their relatives.

Uso de substâncias psicoativas, alterações vocais e qualidade de vida em usuários de drogas lícitas e ilícitas

“…Although the results were not statistically significant, it is worth pointing out that the sample size was a limitation of the study. Nevertheless, lower scores in Whoqol-Bref match the results by Moreira 13 , who assessed quality of life among psychoactive substance users and found that the sample had lower quality of life scores irrespective of the drug used. The low quality of life among licit drug users (alcohol and tobacco) found in this study has already been approached in the literature by Frischknecht 25 and Stafford 26 .…”

“…Thus, voice changes may be masked by other problems or these users may be less aware of the impact on their quality of life and of voice. Voice changes may negatively impact quality of life of individuals who use their voices professionally 14 , as well as licit or illicit drug use harms quality of life as a whole 13 . The voice issues caused by drug abuse seem to affect only individuals who use their voices professionally, impairing their work performance and harming important domains of their lives.…”

A cross sectional comparative study of quality of life of treatments seekers at de-addiction centre in central India using WHO BREF scale

“…The findings are comparable to findings of other studies. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] In the present study, majority (62.40%) of the participants were single (unmarried/separated/divorced). This finding was similar with other studies conducted around the different part of the country.…”

Correlation between depressive symptoms and quality of life in users of psychoactive substances

“…intRodUCtion During a long time, the abusive behavior of substances that alter the cerebral functioning causing modifications in the mental state, denominated as psychoactive substances (PAS), was treated with punitive actions for being considered a moral failure or lack of willpower (1) . However, in the last two decades, with the progressive development of scientific studies, the approach started to be done in a preventive and therapeutic way, as it was comprehended as a serious health problem, affecting diverse areas of live of an individual, with direct or indirect repercussions in the quality of life (QL) (2)(3)(4) .…”

“…The use of PAS negatively interferes in QL of users affecting directly the psychological, environmental and physical self-evaluation aspects (2) . In addition, the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this population, confirming the chronic use of PAS as a constituting a triggering factor or as consequence of psychiatric frameworks, especially related to humor disorders and depressive mood (9) .…”