Co-occurring Self-Reported Behavioral Problems in a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Population: Treatment Perspective

Abstract

Research and clinical experience indicate that individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) may also experience problems with excessive food intake, sexual activity, exercise, and gambling. Such behavioral problems cause individual suffering and might also complicate substance abuse treatment. In clinical practice, however, behavioral problems seem to escape identification. Through the use of a questionnaire, this study investigated whether patients in substance abuse treatment considered themselves having experienced behavioral problems, and whether behavioral problems had been acknowledged during treatment. Sixty-nine individuals in substance abuse treatment answered the questionnaire. Sixty-seven percent of the participants reported behavioral problems, predominantly two or more behaviors. Forty percent of the participants reported that their behavioral problems had been acknowledged in treatment. Based on these findings, it is suggested that treatment units should be prepared to identify behavioral problems and meet the treatment needs of patients who experience one or several behavioral problems.

KEYWORDS:

• SUD
• treatment
• behavioral problems
• excessive behaviors
• assessment