Suffering Among People With Substance Use Disorders Receiving Long-Term Outpatient Addiction Treatment: A...

People receiving long-term treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) frequently experience psychological and physical problems that contribute to suffering, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality.

This study explored the extent of suffering experienced by individuals receiving long-term treatment for SUDs and examined associations with biological, psychological, and social factors.

This cross-sectional study included 89 adults receiving long-term outpatient treatment for SUDs in specialized addiction care. Suffering, physical complaints, and self-management were assessed using the Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure, the Utrecht Somatic Screening List, and the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), respectively. Descriptive and regression analyses examined associated factors.

Suffering varied across domains. In multivariable regression analyses, a higher number of physical complaints was associated with greater psychological suffering (B = -0.22, p = .010). Women had higher Self-Illness Separation scores for pain (B = 1.51, p = .012) and physical health (B = 1.88, p = .001), indicating lower suffering in these domains. These gender-related findings should be interpreted with caution given the small number of female participants.

Physical complaints may be an important marker of broader suffering in this population. Gender differences warrant further investigation.

The cross-sectional design does not allow causal inferences to be drawn. Consequently, the observed associations should be interpreted with caution. A small number of women and missing data limit generalizability and statistical power.

Systematic assessment of physical complaints may support recognition of suffering and facilitate holistic care.

Further research is needed before firm conclusions regarding gender-sensitive care can be drawn.