Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Associated with Improvements in Quality of Life for Participants with Opioid Use Disorder

Abstract

Background: The Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System was established to create an access pathway into long-term recovery for individuals with opioid use disorder. The program determines effectiveness across multiple dimensions, one of which is by measuring the participant’s reported quality of life (QoL) at the beginning of the program and at successive intervals. Methods: A visual analog scale was used to measure the change in QoL among participants after joining the program. We then identified sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with changes in QoL. Results: 71% of the participants (n = 494) experienced an increase in their QoL scores, with an average improvement of 15.8 ± 29 points out of a hundred. We identified 10 factors associated with a significant change in QoL. Participants who relapsed during treatment experienced minor increases in QoL, and participants who attended professional counseling experienced the largest increases in QoL compared with those who did not. Conclusions: Insight into significant factors associated with increases in QoL may inform programs on areas of focus. The inclusion of counseling and other services that address factors such as psychological distress were found to increase participants’ QoL and success in recovery.

Influence of CYP2B6 Genotype on Methadone Dosage in Patients from the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Program in Pereira, Colombia

“…Although the instrument was not used in this study when the patients entered the MMT, given the unfortunate conditions in which they began the program, the eighth week of treatment clearly showed that the patients' quality of life was not as deplorable as it may have been when starting rehabilitation. The worst scoring dominion for the patients was interpersonal relationships, consistent with the findings of other studies [49][50][51]. However, it remains concerning that the highest dropout rates in MMT programs exist among socially isolated individuals.…”

Quality of life and relapse of Opioid Use Disorder: a scoping review protocol

“…19 A study conducted in 2022 reports that people who relapsed during treatment of OUD experienced minor increases in QoL, and participants who attended professional counselling experienced the largest increases in QoL compared with those who did not. 20 There is a lot of literature about OUD and QoL; however, no review elucidates the relationship between QoL and the relapse of OUD. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review findings about the relationship between QoL and relapse of OUD.…”

“…Individuals with greater improvements in QoL’s health, substance use and emotional health domains were less likely to relapse 19. A study conducted in 2022 reports that people who relapsed during treatment of OUD experienced minor increases in QoL, and participants who attended professional counselling experienced the largest increases in QoL compared with those who did not 20. There is a lot of literature about OUD and QoL; however, no review elucidates the relationship between QoL and the relapse of OUD.…”

Evaluation of the executive functions and quality of life in a sample of Egyptian male adolescents with substance use disorder: A case-control study

“…The chronic disease paradigm of integrated medical, behavioral, and social assistance is beneficial for patients with substance use disorders since it is recognized as a chronic illness that negatively affects their quality of life. There is evidence that substance abuse is linked to lower quality of life [ 9 ]. Substance abuse is linked to reductions in many different areas of QoL, such as physical, social, psychological, labor, scholastic, and financial functioning.…”