Sensory processing disorders among substance dependents

Abstract

Purpose: (1) To compare sensory processing patterns as expressed in daily life between substance dependents and typical controls; (2) profile the prevalence of sensory processing disorders (SPD) among substance dependents; and (3) examine gender effect on SPD within and between groups. Methods: Two hundred ninety people aged 19-64 participated in this study. The study group included 145 individuals who lived in the community or took part in an outpatient program because of addiction to drugs/alcohol and had been clean for over three months. The control group included 145 individuals who were not exposed to drugs or alcohol on a regular basis and did not suffer from addictive behavior. All participants filled a demographic questionnaire. Those who met the inclusion criteria completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) so that their sensory processing patterns could be assessed. Results: When comparing both groups, the study group showed greater sensory sensitivity and significantly higher prevalence of SPD. Significant group/gender interaction was found in regard to sensation seeking. Discussion: SPD among substance dependents may be expressed in daily life by either hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity. The behavioral outcomes reflected by the AASP support neurophysiological manifestations about SPD of substance dependents. The evaluation process of substance dependents should refer to their sensory processing abilities. In case SPD is diagnosed, Occupational Therapy and specific sensory-based interventions should be considered in order to fit the specific needs of individuals and enhance their performance, meaningful participation, and quality of life. Keywords: Street Drugs, Sensation, Activities of Daily Living. Alterações no processamento sensorial entre dependentes químicosResumo: Objetivo: (1) Comparar os padrões do processamento sensorial em atividades cotidianas de dependentes de substâncias psicoativas e de participantes do grupo controle típico. (2) Delinear a prevalência dos transtornos de processamento sensorial (SPD) entre dependentes de substâncias psicoativas. (3) Examinar a influência do gênero nos SPD. Métodos: Participaram 290 pessoas com idade entre 19 e 64 anos. O grupo incluiu 145 indivíduos com histórico de dependência de drogas/álcool que viviam na comunidade ou que participavam de um programa ambulatorial e estavam abstinentes há mais de três meses. O grupo controle incluiu 145 indivíduos que não estiveram expostos a drogas ou álcool regularmente e não apresentavam sintomas de dependência química. Todos os participantes preencheram um questionário demográfico. Aqueles que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão completaram o protocolo Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) a fim de que seus padrões de processamento sensorial pudessem ser avaliados. Resultados: O grupo de estudo apresentou maior sensibilidade sensorial e prevalência significativamente maior dos SPD. Uma interação significativa entre sexo e grupo foi encontrada em relação à busca de sensações. Discussão: Os S...

Substances and Your Senses: The Sensory Patterns of Young People within an Alcohol and Drug Treatment Service

“…These atypical results are consistent with those of an adult South African substance-using sample, 3 and with multiple studies examining the sensory processing patterns associated with a range of mental and physical health conditions. 1 , 2 , 9 , 11 , 15 – 20 , 40 , 41…”

“…Chi-squared (χ 2 ) tests of goodness of fit were run to measure associations between categorical variables. Because gender has been significant in earlier studies, 2 preliminary independent samples t -tests were conducted for gender with continuous study variables, and chi-squared (χ 2 ) tests of goodness of fit for gender and categorical variables. Associations between ordinal scale variables were assessed using Spearman's r correlation.…”

“…Those high in sensation seeking have higher sensory thresholds, experience pleasure from rich sensory environments, and actively create and seek sensations, experiencing boredom in low stimuli environments. 2 , 10 , 11…”

“…Norms exist for Dunn's four sensory patterns, with evidence that scores outside the norm are associated negatively with daily functioning and quality-of-life, 2 , 15 resilience, 1 as well as engagement in community participation and subsequent recovery-orientated outcomes. 16 More atypical patterns have also been linked with physical and mental health conditions, including psychosis, 17 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 18 depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, 10 , 18 interpersonal difficulties 17 and pain.…”

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Sensation-Seeking, and Sensory Modulation Dysfunction in Substance Use Disorder: A Cross Sectional Two-Group Comparative Study

“…Its clinical manifestations are characterized by sensory under-responsivity (SMD-SUR), demonstrated by disregarded or delayed responses to stimulation; and sensory over-responsivity (SMD-SOR), perceiving non-painful sensations as irritating, unpleasant [ 25 , 27 ], or painful [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. The sensory realm has been neglected over the years [ 31 ], and only recently, initial findings indicate SMD in SUD [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Importantly, our recent work found that 54% of individuals with SUD were also identified as having SMD; specifically, 47% were identified with SMD-SOR [ 32 ].…”