Systemic Issues in the Opioid Epidemic: Supporting the Individual, Family, and Community

Vincenzes, Kristin A.; McMahon, Beth; Lange, Jennifer; Forziat-Pytel, Kellie

doi:10.1007/s11469-018-0041-3

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…42 Overall, results indicated a significant interest in and need for affordable services targeting drug-related harms for AFMs. 19 Consistent with systems theory emphasizing the importance of treating family systems in addiction, 45,46 strengthening families and family relationships improves outcomes both for AFMs and their loved ones. 22,23 Although a few treatment programs have been developed specifically for AFMs with promising results for improved psychosocial well-being and coping, 43,47 current findings indicate that more AFM-focused programs are sorely needed.…”

Section: Implications For Research and Practicementioning

confidence: 93%

Stopping the Harm: Psychosocial Outcomes of Families Affected by Drug Use

Coady,

Johnston,

Koersen

et al. 2022

Canadian Journal of Addiction

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Objectives: Between January 2016 and December 2021, ∼29,052 overdose deaths occurred in Canada, with devastating impacts on families, including increased risk of mental illness, social isolation, and stigma. More research is required to ensure that Canadian policy and services target the needs of this population. This study aimed to capture levels and predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms among Canadian families affected by drug use, as well as the perceived availability of support services to address these concerns. Methods: Participants (N=462) were recruited from November 2020 to January 2021 through Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH), a network of Canadian families impacted by substance use–related harms (n=75) and deaths (n=387). Participants completed an online cross-sectional survey of self-report measures examining perceived stigma, social support, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and perceived barriers to care. Results: Participants displayed elevated rates of depression and anxiety. Multiple regression analyses revealed low social support and higher perceived stigma were significantly associated with more depressive and anxiety symptoms. Barriers to care were common, including high cost, stigma, and limited availability of appropriate services specific to the needs of affected family members. Conclusions: As overdose deaths in Canada continue to rise, understanding the impacts of drug-related harms is paramount to meeting the needs of families. Family members with loved ones harmed by drug use are vulnerable to stigma, diminished social support, and worse mental health. More support programs targeting the unique needs of this population are needed. Objectifs: Entre janvier 2016 et Décembre 2021, environ 29 052 décès par surdose liés aux opioïdes sont survenus au Canada, avec des effets dévastateurs sur les familles, notamment un risque accru de maladies mentales, d’isolement social et de stigmatisation. D’autres recherches sont nécessaires pour s’assurer que les politiques et les services canadiens ciblent les besoins de cette population. Cette étude visait à identifier les niveaux et les prédicteurs des symptômes dépressis et des symptômes d’anxiété parmi les familles Canadiennes affectées par l’usage de drogues, aussi bien que la perception de disponibilité de support pour les services qui adressent ces préoccupations. Méthodes: Les participants (N=462) ont été recrutés de novembre 2020 à janvier 2021 par l’intermédiaire de Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH), un réseau de familles canadiennes touchées par les méfaits (n=75) et les décès (n=387) de la consommation de substances. Les participants ont rempli une enquête transversale en ligne sur les mesures d’auto-évaluation examinant la perception de la stigmatisation, le soutien social, les symptômes dépressifs, l’anxiété, et les obstacles perçus à l’accès aux soins. Résultats: Les participants ont affiché des taux élevés de dépression et d’anxiété. Des analyses de régression multiple ont révélé qu’un faible soutien social et une stigmatisation perçue plus élevée étaient associés à davantage de symptômes dépressifs et d’anxiété. Les obstacles aux soins étaient courants, notamment le coût élevé, la stigmatisation et la disponibilité limitée des services appropriés spécifiques aux besoins des membres des famille touchée. Conclusion: Alors que les décès par surdose continuent d’augmenter au Canada, il est primordial de comprendre les répercussions des méfaits liés aux drogues pour répondre aux besoins des familles. Les membres de la famille dont des êtres chers ont été blessés par les drogues sont vulnérables à la stigmatisation, à un soutien social réduit et à une moins bonne santé mentale. Plus de programmes de soutien qui ciblent les besoins spécifiques de cette population sont nécessaires.

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Section: Implications For Research and Practicementioning

confidence: 93%

Stopping the Harm: Psychosocial Outcomes of Families Affected by Drug Use

Coady,

Johnston,

Koersen

et al. 2022

Canadian Journal of Addiction

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“…As such, understanding the opioid epidemic in the context of grandfamilies requires consideration of multiple intersecting factors such as individual characteristics, family/relational dynamics, and larger community contexts and societal forces. Theoretically, a systemic perspective (Minuchin 1985 ; Vincenzes et al 2019 ) usefully captures this complexity. According to this perspective, individuals are interdependent and are best understood by considering the multiple contexts (e.g., families, communities, society) in which they are embedded, as well as the bidirectional interactions among those contexts (Minuchin 1985 ; Vicenzes et al 2019).…”

Section: A Systemic Perspective On the Opioid Epidemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, the systemic emphasis on the role of the family in shaping outcomes suggests that grandfamilies would benefit from family-based approaches to intervention (Engstrom 2008 ; Gordon 2018 ; Kroll 2007 ; Minuchin 1985 ; Vincenzes et al 2019 ). Family-based interventions, such as family therapy, are effective in supporting individuals with the process of treatment and recovery from SUD (Stumbo et al 2016 ; Vincenzes et al 2019 ). However, family involvement can also be a source of strain and conflict, and can interfere with recovery (Stumbo et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Clinical Implications For Grandfamiliesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These efforts could include education initiatives focused on dispelling myths about opioids and opioid misuse, treatment, and recovery, especially among those communities and institutions with which grandparents are likely to interact (e.g., churches, schools, etc. ; Vincenzes et al 2019). Importantly, the use of person-first or non-judgmental language, with regard to people who experience OUD and SUD, should be an essential feature of all initiatives and services.…”

Section: Clinical Implications For Grandfamiliesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Grandfamilies and the Opioid Epidemic: A Systemic Perspective and Future Priorities

Dolbin‐MacNab

O'Connell

2021

Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev

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As a result of the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic, increased numbers of children are being raised by their grandparents in what are known as grandfamilies. Despite these children and their families experiencing difficult environmental circumstances, numerous adverse life events, and challenging family dynamics, empirical examinations of the opioid epidemic, as it relates to grandfamilies, remain limited. The purpose of this review is to advance the understanding of how grandfamilies have been impacted by the opioid epidemic by using a systemic perspective to highlight themes and major conclusions within the existing conceptual and empirical literature. The review reveals five systemically informed themes including the assumption of caregiving responsibilities, grandparent stress and well-being, caring for vulnerable grandchildren, navigating relationships with parents, and contextual stressors of societal stigma and barriers to service. To extend this work, systemically informed recommendations for clinical intervention and future priorities for research and policy are discussed.

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“…Families often experience stress due to their loved one’s opioid use, and struggle to help. Impact on the community is reflected through increased demand for services including health care, social services, and involvement with the criminal justice system (Vincenzes et al, 2019).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Opioid Response Project: An Effective Learning Collaborative for Local Communities?

Livet

Richard

Gangi

2023

Health Promotion Practice

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The Opioid Response Project (ORP) was designed as an intensive 2-year health promotion learning collaborative grounded in the Collective Impact Model (CIM) to prepare ten local communities to address the opioid crisis. The purpose of this evaluation was to describe the ORP implementation, provide a summary of the evaluation results, share insights, and discuss implications. Results were informed by multiple data sources, including project documents, surveys, and interviews with members of the ORP and community teams. Based on process evaluation results, 100% of community teams reported being satisfied with the ORP and recommended this experience to others. ORP participation outputs ranged from new opioid response programs, to strengthened community teams, to receipt of additional funding. Based on the outcome evaluation, the ORP was effective at increasing community knowledge and capacity, promoting collaboration, and facilitating sustainability. This initiative is an example of an effective learning collaborative to curb the opioid epidemic at the community level. Participating communities found great value in working together as part of a larger cohort and reported benefits from the peer learning and support provided by the ORP. In particular, access to technical assistance, identification of engagement strategies within and across community teams, and a focus on sustainability are key practice components to be included in learning collaboratives designed to address large-scale public health issues.

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Systemic Issues in the Opioid Epidemic: Supporting the Individual, Family, and Community

Cited by 7 publications

References 24 publications

Stopping the Harm: Psychosocial Outcomes of Families Affected by Drug Use

Stopping the Harm: Psychosocial Outcomes of Families Affected by Drug Use

Grandfamilies and the Opioid Epidemic: A Systemic Perspective and Future Priorities

The Opioid Response Project: An Effective Learning Collaborative for Local Communities?

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