Depressive Symptoms, Friend and Partner Relationship Quality, and Posttreatment Abstinence

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: This study employed a prospective design to examine the role of friend and partner relationship quality 1 year following substance use disorder treatment in the association between depressive symptoms at discharge from treatment and abstinence from substance use 2 years after treatment. Method: The sample consisted of 1,453 male veterans who used alcohol and at least one other substance in the 3 months before treatment admission, who completed treatment, and who were abstinent from substances during the 2 weeks before discharge. Results: Fewer depressive symptoms at treatment discharge predicted better relationship quality with friends and a partner at 1-year follow-up, as well as abstinence from substance use at 2-year follow-up. Furthermore, friend and partner relationship quality at 1 year predicted abstinence from substance use at 2 years. Friend relationship quality at 1 year mediated part of the association between fewer depressive symptoms at treatment discharge and abstinence at 2-year follow-up. Conclusions: A stronger focus in treatment on reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing the quality of patients' relationships with their friends and partner may increase the likelihood of long-term abstinence.

Exposure to Violence and Posttreatment Substance Use Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder

“…Patients who self-identified as White were coded “0,” and patients of other races and ethnicities were coded “1.” Employment status has also been identified as an important correlate of posttreatment substance use (Melvin, Kock, & Davis, 2012). Patients who reported they were working upon treatment initiation were coded “0” and those who were not working were coded “1.” Evidence has also shown relationship status to be significantly associated with posttreatment substance use (McKee, Bonn-Miller, & Moos, 2011). Patients who were single and reported never having been married were coded “1,” and patients who were in a different type of relationship were coded “0.” Education level has also been identified as an important factor related to responsiveness to substance use treatment (Holtyn, DeFulio, & Silverman, 2015).…”

“…Patients who reported they were working upon treatment initiation were coded "0" and those who were not working were coded "1." Evidence has also shown relationship status to be significantly associated with posttreatment substance use (McKee, Bonn-Miller, & Moos, 2011). Patients who were single and reported never having been married were coded "1," and patients who were in a different type of relationship were coded "0."…”

Substance use and substance problems in families: How families impact and are impacted by substance use.

“…Recently, the impact of relationship quality has been studied among samples of people with comorbid alcohol use and substance use disorders and among individuals with primary drug use disorders. In several treatment studies conducted of patients with alcohol use disorders or comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders, marital quality (or lack of marital stress) has been predictive of better outcomes (McKee, BonnMiller, & Moos, 2011;Tracy, Kelly, & Moos, 2005). In addition, Heinz, Wu, Witkiewitz, Epstein, and Preston (2009) found that a positive relationship with a married partner led to better outcomes among patients with cocaine or heroin use disorders.…”