Loss of activities and its effect on the well-being of substance abusers

Abstract

Aims. Participation in everyday activities positively influences well-being, but few have studied how participation in activities influences well-being among patients with substance use disorders. The authors examined the number of past, recent, and desired future activities of patients being admitted to five units for inpatient substance abuse treatment at a Norwegian university hospital. Major findings. The total number of activities had dropped significantly compared with before the respondents started abusing substances, and the respondents desired an increase in activities in the future. A lower level of well-being as measured by the WHO-5 was predicted by a more pronounced drop in number of activities from past to recent and by more severe use of alcohol and other substances. Principal conclusion. Substance abuse is associated with a change in number of activities. Losing activities may contribute to a decrease in well-being. Helping substance abuse patients regain positive activities could improve well-being.

Key words::

• WHO-5
• treatment
• substance use disorders

Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the North Norwegian Regional Health Authority (Helse Nord RHF). The authors would like to thank the participating patients and staff.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.