The Relationship Between Generalized Anxiety Symptoms and Treatment Dropout Among Women in Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

ABSTRACT

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) co-occurs with substance use disorders (SUDs) at an alarmingly high rate, and the presence of anxiety is associated with an increased risk for relapse to substance use following treatment. Furthermore, comorbid SUDs and other forms of psychopathology are associated with an increased risk for leaving treatment against medical advice (AMA). Objective and Method: Research has yet to examine whether the presence of GAD symptoms is associated with leaving treatment AMA in SUDs populations. Thus, the current study sought to address this important gap in the literature by examining this relationship among a sample of 122 women in residential treatment for SUDs. Results: Results demonstrated that GAD symptoms were significantly associated with the decision to leave treatment AMA after controlling for age, education, problematic alcohol and drug use, and depression symptoms. Conclusions/Importance: Our finding indicates the potential importance of assessing and targeting GAD in treatment for SUDs, which may increase treatment compliance.

KEYWORDS:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• substance use disorders
• treatment dropout
• alcohol abuse
• drug abuse

Funding

This work was supported, in part, by grant K24AA019707 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) awarded to Gregory L. Stuart. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIAAA or the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

JoAnna Elmquist

JoAnna Elmquist, MA, is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her research primarily focuses on intimate partner violence and the correlates and factors underlying both intimate partner violence and substance use. She is also interested in the influence of comorbid psychopathology, specifically eating disorders, on the etiology and treatment of SUDs.

Ryan C. Shorey

Ryan C. Shorey, PhD., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ohio University. His research focuses primarily on intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly among dating couples, as well as the influence of substance use on IPV perpetration. He is also interested in the role of mindfulness-based interventions in improving substance use and IPV treatment outcomes.

Scott E. Anderson

Scott E. Anderson, PhD., is a Licensed Psychologist in Tennessee. He earned his Master's in Community Counseling from Georgia State University in 1980 and his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee in 1988. He began working extensively with chemical dependency in 1985, and he is currently Chief Clinical Officer/Clinical Director at Cornerstone of Recovery in Louisville, TN. Dr. Anderson has worked as a clinician and/or consultant in a variety of settings during his career, including university counseling centers, chemical dependency treatment centers, private practice, and other community mental health agencies. He has over 30 years experience working in the field of addictions.

Gregory L. Stuart

Gregory L. Stuart is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the Director of Family Violence Research at Butler Hospital. He is also an adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. His research focuses primarily on the comorbidity of intimate partner violence and substance misuse. He is particularly interested in interventions that address both substance use and relationship aggression.