Suffering Among People With Substance Use Disorders Receiving Long-Term Outpatient Addiction Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION

People receiving long-term treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) frequently experience psychological and physical problems that contribute to suffering, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality.

AIM/QUESTION: This study explored the extent of suffering experienced by individuals receiving long-term treatment for SUDs and examined associations with biological, psychological, and social factors.

METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 89 adults receiving long-term outpatient treatment for SUDs in specialized addiction care. Suffering, physical complaints, and self-management were assessed using the Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure, the Utrecht Somatic Screening List, and the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), respectively. Descriptive and regression analyses examined associated factors.

RESULTS

Suffering varied across domains. In multivariable regression analyses, a higher number of physical complaints was associated with greater psychological suffering (B = -0.22, p = .010). Women had higher Self-Illness Separation scores for pain (B = 1.51, p = .012) and physical health (B = 1.88, p = .001), indicating lower suffering in these domains. These gender-related findings should be interpreted with caution given the small number of female participants.

DISCUSSION: Physical complaints may be an important marker of broader suffering in this population. Gender differences warrant further investigation.

LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design does not allow causal inferences to be drawn. Consequently, the observed associations should be interpreted with caution. A small number of women and missing data limit generalizability and statistical power.

IMPLICATIONS: Systematic assessment of physical complaints may support recognition of suffering and facilitate holistic care.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Further research is needed before firm conclusions regarding gender-sensitive care can be drawn.