Correlates of optimism among patients in substance use disorder inpatient treatment

Abstract

Background and Objectives Early recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is often characterized by hopelessness and despair about the future. Optimism, or the expectation that good things will happen, may provide a buffer against despair, and motivate adaptive goal engagement and coping. Study objectives were to (1) compare levels of optimism among individuals in substance use disorder inpatient treatment to other populations and (2) examine correlates of optimism. Methods This exploratory study utilized a cross‐sectional survey design. Participants (n = 355) completed self‐report measures assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The main variable of interest, optimism, was assessed by Life Orientation Test‐Revised scores. Multivariate regression was used to examine the association among sociodemographic and clinical variables and optimism. Results Our sample (n = 342) scored lower on optimism (mean = 11.7) than general population and SUD patients reported in the literature (range = 13.0–18.5). Optimism was higher for SUD inpatients who were college‐educated and those with higher scores on the recovery protection factor, while greater anxiety severity was associated with lower optimism scores. Conclusions and Scientific Significance This study contributes to emerging research on the association between optimism and SUDs. Optimism has not been previously studied among patients in acute, short‐term inpatient SUD treatment and doing so may be clinically useful in addressing low optimism as an obstacle to motivation for treatment. Bolstering optimism may be a promising target for intervention and future research.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Ambivalence and the Opposing Forces of Nostalgia and Optimism in Recovery from Addiction

“…Unlike the literature surrounding ARN, the optimism literature is abundant, and my research demonstrates that akin previous findings (Provost, 2022), optimism is a beneficial resource in recovery. Across three studies, I assessed optimism about recovery as an opposing force to ARN and found that optimism moderates the ambivalence increasing effects of ARN.…”

“…I also examined whether this nostalgia-induced ambivalence would be heightened among those who are high (relative to low) in optimism (i.e., a positive emotion that encourages people to be hopeful about the future; Scheier et al, 1994) about their recovery. Specifically, despite optimism being a known facilitator of recovery (Provost et al, 2022), when experienced in tandem with ARN, people in recovery should feel even greater uncertainty about their recovery. I tested these novel ideas across three studies (two correlational and one prospective) and two addictive behaviours (gambling and alcohol use).…”

“…This is particularly so among people in recovery from addiction (Krentzman, et al 2022). For instance, among people in recovery from a substance use disorder, those with high (relative to low) optimism tend to report lower anxiety about recovery and higher recovery protection (i.e., intentions to stay on the path of recovery; Provost et al, 2022).…”

The relationship between addiction and hikikomori tendencies: a case-control study

“…Altogether, these findings are in keeping with previous studies on the low quality of life of individuals with substance use problems ( 22 , 23 ). Especially at the beginning of their clinical admission, addiction patients often experience a negative state that is characterized by abstinence-related physical symptoms and associated feelings of depression and hopelessness ( 38 ).…”

A pilot study of virtual reality for inpatients with opioid use disorder

“…In addition, high levels of cravings during treatment, despite adequate medical management, can result in patients leaving programs prematurely against medical advice 8,12 . Conversely, Provost et al found that patients who experienced lower rates of anxiety and higher levels of optimism during inpatient treatment for SUD were more likely to continue to further levels of treatment 13 . There is a vital need for additional therapies to reduce negative affect and enhance retention for individuals with OUD during their initial stages of treatment to improve engagement in MOUD and subsequent care to reduce the risk of overdose and death.…”