Improvements of substance use disorder treatment and the impact of traumatic experiences

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Patients entering substance use disorder treatment perceive the quality of life as low and have high levels of psychological distress. Some suffer from impaired cognitive functioning. The prevalence of traumatic experiences is high. We aimed to determine whether there had been improvements from admission to discharge and explore the relationships between the improvements and experiences of traumatic abuse. Methods We recruited 138 inpatients from long-term treatment for substance use disorders in Norway. 98 participants completed the questionnaires on quality of life, psychological distress, and cognitive functioning at admission and discharge. Results We found significant improvements in quality of life and cognitive functioning, and the psychological distress decreased from admission to discharge. Patients with experiences of traumatic abuse improved less in cognitive functioning. Conclusion Measurements of quality of life, psychological distress, and cognitive functioning may be useful to assess improvements during treatment. Health providers must be aware of the high prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and psychological distress, and low quality of life in patients at admission to treatment. Patients with experiences of traumatic abuse improved less in cognitive functioning and treatment should target this, as it could hinder drop-out and enhance the success of substance use disorder treatment.