A Scoping Review of Programs to Support Families and Protect the Lives of Persons with Problematic Substance Use:...

Information is scarce about programs for families of individuals with problematic substance use (IPSUs), and even less is known about the volume and quality of programs that aim to prevent overdose or suicide.

We completed a scoping review to examine programs for families concerned about an IPSU since 2008 to learn: whether and in what way IPSUs are involved in family programming, program goals, and whether these programs address concerns of risk for injury death due to overdose or suicide.

A total of 8149 articles were identified, with 86 articles meeting inclusion. A total of 35 programs worked with families without involving the IPSU, and 41 involved both the family and the IPSU. Programs rarely directly targeted suicide (n = 1) or overdose (n = 2) risk. More than half of the studies only on IPSU outcomes, even though they offered family members tools to improve coping, or to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. Many programs that aim to improve outcomes for both the IPSU and their families have similar goals, including increasing relationship quality, and improving family cohesion.

There is a paucity of programs for families of IPSUs that focus on overdose and suicide prevention. An important next step is to conduct an environmental scan focused on the content of programs to ascertain how many programs have been implemented beyond piloting and are available in different communities. Dissemination of knowledge about what services are available and where is essential for individuals to be directed toward the services that will meet their needs.