Toxic Nightlife Relationships, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health: Is There a Link? A Qualitative Case Study of Two Patients

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: This article explores the role of toxic close relationships in night life on substance use disorders and mental health conditions. We also contrast the quality and effects of social relationships when doing drugs with those produced by a mental health program that fosters quality relationships between patients.Design and Methods: This qualitative case study was carried out at a mental health day care center of a hospital in Malaga (Spain). The cases of two patients with severe mental disorders and a history of drug addiction were analyzed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with every patient, semi-structured interviews about each patient with the psychologist of the medical team of the program, and medical documentation. The analysis involved a combination of inductive and deductive approaches.Results: The analysis of the data revealed, on the one hand, the influence of toxic relationships in nightlife, including violent sporadic sexual relationships, in the initiation and persistence of substance use that took part of the mental health disorder in these patients. On the other hand, the findings show that these participants' current involvement in a mental health program, which fosters quality relationships between patients, has brought emotional benefits to both of them.Discussion and Conclusion: This paper points out the relevance of considering quality of social relationships when examining substance use disorders and related mental health problems. Additionally, the findings indicate the importance of fostering quality peer relationships in mental health rehabilitation programs addressed to patients with histories of drug addiction to improve treatment outcome.

Evidence of Gender Violence Negative Impact on Health as a Lever to Change Adolescents’ Attitudes and Preferences towards Dominant Traditional Masculinities

“…Our study has added evidence to the already available knowledge that identifies the peer group context as a socialization place for adolescents that shapes attitudes, preferences, and relationships [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In particular, our results suggest that preferences for non-egalitarian and potentially violent masculinities or egalitarian and non-violent masculinities in the group can influence the probability of girls being exposed to toxic intimate relationships.…”

“…In our research, we shared with the adolescents the existing knowledge on the ill effects of toxic relationships in general, and gender violence in particular, on physical and psychological health [ 2 , 4 , 12 , 13 ], and the evidence of the different roles of different models of masculinity in reproducing or preventing gender violence [ 24 ]. We used this evidence as an instrument to help them reflect on their thoughts, preferences, and discourses in the peer group.…”

“…In this regard, the research found that intimate partner violence victimization in adolescents impacts higher depressive symptoms, poorer physical health status, and higher levels of health care utilization [12]. In addition, toxic affective-sexual relationships-that is, violent relationships which in many cases include sexual-affective violence, mistreatment, contempt, and verbal or non-verbal attacks, often leading to the acceptance of humiliations and mistreatment-influence the initiation and persistence of substance use and the onset of mental health disorders [13]. Although ongoing exposure to violence has a more considerable impact on health status than more distant exposure, both negatively affect health outcomes [12].…”

Who promoted the nightlife of flirts? Freedom or capitalist bussiness?

“…A body of literature has pointed at the capitalist origin and motivation of nightlife, showing different strategies which the nightlife business uses in order to gain the maximum profit (Hobbs et al, 2000;Malbon, 1998;Pedersen et al, 2017;Sheard, 2011;Tutenges & Bøhling, 2019). There is also extensive scientific literature about the coercive discourse that pushes many youth to have disdainful hookups in different spaces, including nightlife (Puigvert et al, 2019;Racionero-Plaza et al, 2020a). However, the extent and ways in which the nightlife business is behind young people's motivation to participate in the nightlife had not been explored in depth yet.…”

“…Different media, movies, TV shows, publicity, peer interactions, and so on launch and reinforce the CDD by portraying violent and disdainful relationships as cooler, more exciting and desirable than egalitarian ones (Rodrigues-Mello et al, 2021). Many adolescents and youth are pressured to engage in disdainful hookups in different settings, and the nightlife is one of them (Racionero-Plaza et al, 2020a).…”