Managing Anger in Persons With Substance Use Disorders: A Global Nursing Perspective

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Anger management is a significant challenge for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD).
• Effective anger management strategies are vital for treatment success and patient well-being in SUD populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review research studies from 2005 onwards on anger management interventions for individuals with SUD.
• To synthesize findings on both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for managing anger in SUD.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies published since 2005.
• Analysis of pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological anger management techniques.
• Evaluation of interventions for different risk levels (chronic/low-risk vs. acute/high-risk).

Main Results:

• Non-pharmacological interventions (anger management training, CBT, exercise, music therapy, empathy) are first-line for chronic, lower-risk anger.
• Pharmacological options include atypical antipsychotics and medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD).
• Physical restraint and medication are primary for acute, high-risk violence situations.

Conclusions:

• A combination of approaches, guided by nursing frameworks, can be effective for anger management in SUD.
• Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
• Further research is needed to optimize integrated anger management protocols for individuals with SUD.