Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Interventions for Substance-Use Disorders: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The review was conducted to explore psychosocial interventions for adults with substance-use disorders. A refined literature focus was placed on articles published by occupational therapists, or articles published by an allied health professional, that discussed occupational therapy performing the intervention. Ten articles met inclusion criteria, all focusing on aspects of life skills training. Study results support the professions' ability to enhance functional independence and occupational performance for individuals recovering from substance use. Further, a more controlled investigation is warranted to further define occupational therapy's scope within substance-use disorder treatment.

Altered fine motor control and manual dexterity in people with cocaine dependence: An observational study

“…are well positioned to assist individuals battling substance use disorders in discovering meaning and purpose in a world free of dependence '. (p. 168) No previous studies (Amorelli, 2016; Rojo-Mota, Pedrero-P erez & Huertas-Hoyas, 2017) have investigated fine motor control and bilateral hand function in people with a history of cocaine use. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are differences in fine motor control and manual motor skills between participants with cocaine use and healthy participants, matched by age and hand dominance.…”

“…Long‐term substance consumption affects a person's occupational history (work, family duties) and changes the person's role, affecting ADL performance due to motor disorders caused by consumption (Rojo‐Mota, Pedrero‐Pérez & Huertas‐Hoyas, ). Occupational therapists are focussed on restoring functional independence via the use of meaningful occupations, yet a substance dependent individual's meaningful occupation may come in the form of a detrimental, adverse, and possibly lethal form of activity (Amorelli, ). Therefore, the motor deficits may lead to long‐term difficulties fulfilling certain roles such as working or parenting.…”

“…Thus, substance use should be studied from an occupational point of view, to further understand the potential difficulties in the person's ability to manage their everyday life, in specific environments, as well as potentially affecting their capacity to adapt and structure their occupations to shape their lives (Hall, Carter & Forlini, ; Rojo‐Mota, Pedrero‐Pérez & Huertas‐Hoyas, ). Amorelli () described Occupational Therapists as being ‘highly skilled professionals that assess an individual as a holistic being, identifying areas of occupational deprivation and dysfunction’ (p. 168). And, also, ‘… are well positioned to assist individuals battling substance use disorders in discovering meaning and purpose in a world free of dependence’.…”

Intervenção da Terapia Ocupacional na toxicodependência: estudo de caso na Comunidade Terapêutica Clínica do Outeiro – Portugal

“…As evidenced in Amorelli's study 25 , also in CTCO, Occupational Therapy stands out at first, concentrating its interventions on functional independence through the use of significant occupations thus increasing the, also referred to by Ricou and Teixeira 6 , levels volition and motivation of the individual to remain abstinent and resorting to these activities to intervene in the necessary competences through the performance of truly transforming occupations for each subject 23 . In this direction, the setting of the Occupa- category…”

Substance abuse rehabilitation needs to be guided by well-developed practice model(s)

“…People with substance abuse usually have some resulting deprivation and dysfunction and thus they should benefit from occupational therapy interventions that can help them explore the meaning and purpose of a life that is free of substance dependence. 3 It echoes with the literature that persons with substance abuse should have their resulting deficits in life roles assessed and managed in order to let their recovery be more comprehensive and hence successful. 6 This practice is further supported by the findings that the crucial motivator to keep substance abusers away from substance misuse is the restoration and maintenance of the roles in life that they had before the addiction.…”