Quality of Life Determinants in Patients of a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and other Drug Users

Abstract

Quality of life assessments in patients receiving treatment for substance dependence can serve as one predictor of response to treatment. This study aimed to identify determinants of quality of life in patients of a Psychosocial Care Center for alcohol and other drug users (CAPSad). The sample consisted of 77 patients with a diagnosis of substance dependence being treated at CAPSad for more than six months. Severity of substance dependence was assessed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-6), quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument-short version (WHOQOL-BREF), and depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data on CAPSad activities, psychiatric diagnoses, and medications used were collected from the medical records. Quality of life was significantly impaired in more severe cases of substance dependence and in those with more severe depressive symptoms. As for other variables, poorer quality of life was significantly associated with a greater number of years of education, unemployment, use of medications, and greater use of individual sessions with the reference professional. Linear regression analysis revealed depressive symptom severity to be an independent determinant of quality of life impairment, accounting for over 50% of the variation in physical and psychological domains. These results demonstrate the need to consider other factors, such as depressive symptoms and quality of life, in the treatment of substance dependence.