Substance Addiction Consequences: Outpatients Severity Indicators in a Medication-Based Program

Abstract

The severity of the substance addiction consequences (SAC) is often the reason for seeking help and joining medication-based programs. However, little has been explored about the nature and extent of the consequences, the outcomes of these programs and of nursing consultations. This cross-sectional study with a nursing-assisted sample, enrolled on a methadone or an alcohol aversion therapy program, aims to find out the most severe indicators of SAC and identify factors to effective self-management of this consequences. The most severe indicators were "anxiety," "maintaining employment," "sadness," "problems with self-supporting," and "problems with family relationships." Patients most likely to have severe SAC are those with Hepatitis B (HBs), with mood disorders, and those who consume cannabis. The factors that can contribute to a more effective SAC self-management are to stop consumption, enrolling in and complying with the therapeutic project related to addiction and comorbidities.

Acceptability and applicability of an intervention programme with substance addicts

“…The substance-using population, especially those dependent on opiates and alcohol, are often integrated into drug-based programmes, and followed by multidisciplinary teams. These programmes try to respond to health needs, related to the severity of comorbidities such as hepatitis C, HIV, and diseases resulting from years of consumption and natural ageing, whether heart, gastric or respiratory 4,15 . The aim of the program is to help with situations of poorer mental well-being, such as depression, anxiety, distress, low self-esteem, cognitive decline 16 , and to promote a reduction in consumption and control of risk situations 17 .…”

Aceitabilidade e aplicabilidade de um programa de intervenção com usuários dependentes de substâncias

“…A população consumidora de substâncias, principalmente os dependentes de opiáceos e de álcool, frequentemente são integrados em programas medicamentosos, acompanhados por equipas multidisciplinares. Nestes programas procura-se responder às necessidades em saúde, relacionadas com a severidade das comorbilidades como hepatite C, VIH, das doenças decorrentes dos anos de consumo e do natural envelhecimento, sejam cardíacas, gástricas ou respiratórias 4,15 . Pretende-se ajudar nas situações de menor bem-estar mental, como a depressão, ansiedade, angústia, baixa autoestima, diminuição cognitiva 16 , promovendo diminuição de consumos e controlo de situações de risco 17 .…”

Consequences of psychoactive substance use: a comparative study of two services in Brazil and Portugal

“…The SAC scale has been used in the context of specialized treatment services for PAS use in Portugal to assess the severity of consequences and plan care, as well as to support the identification of self-management factors of these consequences by users (14) . It was recently culturally adapted and validated for use in Brazil with the quality required to be used by teams of community services for treating alcohol and other drugs abuse (15) .…”