Social Network Support for Individuals Receiving Opiate Substitution Treatment and Its Association with Treatment Progress

Abstract

Background/Aims: Social networks have been hypothesized to protect people from the harmful effects of stress, but may also provide dysfunctional role models and provide cues associated with drug use. This study describes the range, type and level of social support available to patients engaged in UK opiate substitution treatment (OST) programmes, and explores the association between network factors and continued use of illicit heroin. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of OST patients (n = 118) utilised measures of current substance use and social network structure and support. Results: More than half of the participants had used heroin in the previous month, and most described networks that were both supportive and positive about treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that the substance use involvement of network members was higher in those patients still using heroin, even when other treatment factors were controlled for. Conclusion: There was a strong association between ongoing contact with other drug users and continued use of illicit heroin in this treatment sample. Whilst there is potential for the involvement of social networks in treatment, future research needs to ascertain the exact nature of the relationship between social support and drug use.

Efficacy of Heroin-Assisted Treatment in Belgium: A Randomised Controlled Trial

“…This could be explained by the smaller sample size in the present study and by the fact that at baseline only half (47%) of our participants reported criminal acts during the previous month. Nevertheless, these reductions are in line with the observation that, in opioid maintenance treatment, a decrease in heroin use is associated with a decline in criminal involvement [28,29] and with a reduction in social contacts with other drug users [30,31]. …”

Feasibility of a Supportive Other Intervention for Opiate-Dependent Patients Entering Inpatient Detoxification

“…The value of involving family or other close supportive persons in substance use treatment, and specifically in the maintenance phase of treatment (i.e., after initial detoxification) has become increasingly accepted as a component of treatment in alcohol detoxification settings (Timko et al 2015), and has been documented as an factor in general treatment for substance use disorders (Rounsaville & Kleber 1985; Riehman et al 2003; Lin, Wu & Detels 2011; Day et al 2013; Cavaiola, Fulmer & Stout 2015; Hser et al 2015; Timko et al 2015). Findings from the current study suggest that many patients in an opioid detoxification program are open to involving their SO in their treatment during their inpatient stay.…”

Exploring the Focus and Experiences of Smartphone Applications for Addiction Recovery

“…Although only a small proportion of apps contained functions aimed at enhancing social support, those that did helped connect people with other sources of support and were frequently downloaded. Given the influence of network support on substance use outcomes, 19,20 this is likely to be an important mechanism through which addiction recovery apps might help sustain behavioral changes. The positive role of motivation in behavior change has long been acknowledged, 21 and users mentioned that apps they had downloaded helped to inspire and encourage them.…”