Prevalence of Substance Use and Mental Distress Among Patients on Waiting Lists for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of illicit substance use, alcohol consumption, and psychosocial distress among Norwegian patients on waiting lists for substance use disorder treatment.

Methods: Patients on waiting lists at 16 Norwegian treatment clinics for substance use disorders received a mailed questionnaire or were recruited during pre-treatment meetings (response rate 40%, n = 203). The patients completed a questionnaire consisting of validated screening tools of substance use and psychosocial distress. When available, Norwegian norm data were used as a reference group in analyses.

Results: Among patients who reported use of illicit substances in the last month, 40% reported scores above cut-off. About 50% of those who had consumed alcohol reported a severe pattern of alcohol consumption. A total of 60% of the sample reported severe symptom loads and nearly 70% of the sample reported interpersonal problems above cut-off. Compared to the norm data, patients on waiting lists reported more psychosocial distress on all the symptom dimensions, as expected.

Conclusions: Patients on waiting lists reported substantial substance use and psychosocial burden. Pre-treatment interventions should be conducted among these patients. Treatment could benefit from more standardized screening routines and clinical assessments before patients enter treatment. The findings may challenge the Norwegian policy of supply-driven treatment services.

Keywords:

• mental health
• norm data
• prevalence
• substance use
• treatment
• waiting list

Acknowledgments

The author is very grateful to patients who responded to the questionnaire and the research coordinators who carried out the data collection at the treatment facilities. Senior psychologist Erik Iversen at the Bergen Clinics shared data from the substance use population sample. Professor Torbjorn Rundmo and specialist in psychology Reidar Hole deserve gratitude for their contributions to the study.