Influence of Family Involvement and Substance Use on Sustained Utilization of Services for Schizophrenia

Abstract

This study provides evidence that ongoing family support is associated with substantial reductions in the adverse impact of substance abuse on consumers' patterns of service use, especially for consumers living in rural areas. If confirmed in other populations, study findings suggest that reinforcing services and support for family members who provide informal care helps to sustain involvement in care by the especially vulnerable population of individuals with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and substance abuse.

Alcohol use in schizophrenia: prevalence, patterns, correlates and clinical outcomes in Goa, India

“…Ongoing family support is known to be associated with substantial reductions in adverse outcomes of substance use. 52 Contrary to earlier reports from highincome countries, 1,21,51 in our study people who were economically active and had received formal education were more likely to be drinkers compared with those who were economically inactive and illiterate. A similar association between employment and drinking has been shown in men attending private primary care clinics in Goa, 47 where men who consumed any alcohol were more likely than abstainers to be employed.…”

Urban–rural differences in psychiatric rehabilitation outcomes

“…[21][22][23] The collective family structure and 'close knit' nature of rural communities were discussed as some of the features of the social capital that represented a considerable asset for rural communities to deal with mental health issues. 7,24 Several studies presented a negative impression on the state of mentally ill in rural communities 25 while some found evidence to the contrary.…”

Development and Implementation of Family Involvement Standards for Behavioral Health Provider Programs

“…Inclusion of SPs in the provision of psychiatric care to their service participant is beneficial to both the participant, particularly in terms of reductions in relapse, and to the SPs with regard to improved coping with the illness and their own well-being (Dixon, 1999;Dixon, Lucksted, Stewart, & Delahanty, 2000;Corrigan, Mueser, Bond, Drake, & Solomon, 2008;Fischer et al, 2008). However, given the individualistic orientation of the mental health service delivery system in the United States, SP involvement is often discouraged (Whitley & Lawson, 2010).…”