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An ethnographic study of the longitudinal course of substance abuse among people with severe mental illness
- Authors:
- ALVERSON Hoyt, ALVERSON Marianne, DRAKE Robert E
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 36(6), December 2000, pp.557-569.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This two-year ethnography conducted among 16 dually diagnosed clients in the US yielded two longitudinal findings. Four 'positive quality of life' factors were strongly correlated with client's efforts to stop using addictive substances: regular engagement with an enjoyable activity; decent, stable housing; a loving relationship with a person accepting of mental health problems; a positive relationship with a mental health professional. The study also revealed that five predictive 'negative background factors' were present in participants' childhood homes: substance misuse; extreme poverty; 'non-functional' household members; abuse by care-givers; severe mental illness in household. The implications of these findings for treatment are discussed.