Demographics and Use of an Addiction Helpline for Concerned Significant Others: Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Social Work

Background:

• Concerned significant others (CSOs) are crucial in supporting loved ones (LOs) with substance use disorders.
• Existing support services for CSOs are limited, despite their significant role.
• Helplines emerge as a key public health intervention for CSOs.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze demographics and usage patterns of a specific helpline for CSOs.
• Identify trends in substance concerns and LO characteristics.
• Advocate for expanded and tailored support models for CSOs.

Main Methods:

• Observational study using data from 8 platforms (April 2011-December 2021).
• Included 24,096 client records with survey data from CSOs and helpline specialists.
• Collected data on demographics, language, substance of concern, CSO-LO relationship, and LO's use state.

Main Results:

• CSOs were predominantly women (76.1%) supporting children (68.9%).
• Loved ones (LOs) were often male (62.7%), aged 18-25, with primary concerns of cannabis, opioids, or stimulants.
• Spanish-speaking CSOs showed different substance preferences compared to English-speaking CSOs.

Conclusions:

• Helplines are essential resources for CSOs, offering tailored support and filling a gap in care.
• Findings highlight the need for bilingual services and support for diverse relationships beyond parent-child.
• The study underscores the helpline's role in aiding CSOs with accessible, specialized interventions.