Open Access
Differential profile of addicted patients depending on violent behaviours and/or criminal acts
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of violent and/or criminal behaviours in drug-addicted patients. A sample of 252 drug-addicted patients who sought treatment was assessed. Information on violent behaviours, criminal acts, socio-demographic factors, consumption factors, psychopathological factors and personality variables was collected. The sample was divided into four groups according to the presence of violence and/or criminal behaviours. There were significant differences between the groups on some variables. In general, patients associated with both violence and criminal behaviours showed a greater severity in drug consumption and maladjustment variables, as well as a higher rate of treatment dropout and re-entry.
Open Access
Suicidal ideation and attempts among patients with lifetime physical and/or sexual abuse in treatment for substance use disorders
(Taylor & Francis, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Haro Escribano, Begoña; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Several studies indicate that lifetime abuse is a relevant risk factor for suicidal ideation and/or attempts. However, little is known about this phenomenon in patients seeking treatment for substance use disorder. The prevalence rate of suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts was explored among lifetime physically and/or sexually abused patients receiving treatment for drug addiction. The differential characteristics between these patients and those without suicidal behaviours were studied. Method: Three hundred and seventy-five patients were assessed. Socio-demographic characteristics, addiction severity, lifetime abuse, suicidal ideation and attempts, and psychopathological symptoms were explored. Results: Eighty-two patients (21.9%) presented with a history of lifetime abuse and were included in the study (37 men and 45 women). Sixty-two per cent of them presented with lifetime suicidal ideation (12.2% in the last month), and 30.5% with suicide attempts (1.2% in the last month). Patients with suicidal ideation or attempts showed a more severe addiction profile (assessed by the EuropASI) and more psychopathological symptoms (assessed by the SCL-90-R). Conclusion: This study highlights the relationship between previous traumatic experiences and suicidal behaviours. According to these results, systematic screening of suicidal risk in patients seeking treatment in addiction centres with histories of abuse is recommended.
Open Access
Completers and dropouts in a prevention programme for parents of adolescents with high-risk behaviours
(Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de Asturias, 2021) López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Ituráin Jiménez de Bentrosa, Sonia; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Altas y Abandonos en un Programa de Prevención para Padres de Adolescentes con Conductas de Riesgo. Antecedentes: los principales objetivos fueron determinar la tasa de retención/abandono en un programa de prevención indicada para padres de adolescentes con conductas de riesgo, comparar a los que fi nalizaron y abandonaron en diferentes características y establecer las principales variables relacionadas con la fi nalización/abandono de la intervención. Método: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 367 padres (165 hombres y 202 mujeres). Se recogió información sociodemográfi ca, síntomas psicopatológicos, estados emocionales, estilos educativos y desajustes en la vida cotidiana. Resultados: la tasa de retención fue del 79,29% (n = 291), sin diferencias de sexo entre los que completaron y abandonaron. Los que completaron la intervención eran mayores, mantenían el núcleo familiar de origen y sus hijos recibían simultáneamente tratamiento en el programa de prevención para adolescentes del mismo centro. Se obtuvieron cuatro grupos en el análisis de conglomerados. Las mayores tasas de abandono se observaron entre los padres cuyos hijos no participaron del programa (29,5%; n = 18) y entre las familias que habían experimentado cambios en la composición del núcleo familiar de origen (28,9%; n = 26). Conclusiones: se destaca la relevancia de la composición familiar y el involucramiento de padres y adolescentes en la efectividad de los programas de prevención indicada.
Open Access
Profile of addicted patients who re-enter treatment programmes
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 359/2012
Objective. This study explored the differential profile of addicted patients who re-enter treatment programmes. Method. A sample of 252 addicted patients (203 male and 49 female) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed. Data regarding socio-demographic factors, drug consumption factors (assessed using the EuropAsi), psychopathological factors (assessed using the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised [SCL-90-R]), and personality variables (assessed using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II [MCMI-II]) were collected. Results. 65.9% (n=166) of drug-addicted patients were re-admitted into treatment programmes. All of the variables for which we collected data were compared between these treatment repeaters and patients who were admitted for the first time. Significant differences between the two groups of patients were found for some of the variables that we examined. Treatment repeaters were generally older and had a poorer employment situation than first-time admits. Treatment repeaters were also more likely to report poly-consumption and to have sought treatment for alcohol abuse. Moreover, some of the scores for several EuropAsi, SCL-90-R, and MCMI-II variables were statistically significantly different from those of the first-time admits. Conclusions. According to these results, patients who re-enter treatment programmes often present with more severe addiction problems. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Prevalence and differential profile of patients with substance use disorder who have suffered physical and/or sexual abuse
(SAGE, 2021) Haro Escribano, Begoña; López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) who undergo treatment present a high prevalence of lifetime physical and/or sexual abuse. Studies about this phenomenon and the specific needs of patients with a history of abuse must be carried out to tailor treatment programmes. The first goal of this paper was to determine the prevalence of physical and/or sexual abuse among patients with SUD, and the second goal was to analyse the specific characteristics of these patients. A sample of 418 subjects was assessed to achieve the first goal, and 104 subjects (52 with and 52 without a history of physical and/or sexual abuse) were examined to reach the second goal. All patients sought treatment for SUD in two Spanish clinical centres. The results showed that 15.5% of the sample had a history of physical and/or sexual abuse (42.3% of women and 9.9% of men). Patients with a history of abuse presented a higher need for SUD treatment in family and psychiatric areas and more psychopathological symptoms than patients without a history of abuse. According to this more serious profile, a patient-centred intervention considering the history of abuse is recommended. This will allow the specific needs of these patients to be met, thus improving SUD treatment success.
Open Access
Violent behaviours in drug addiction: differential profiles of drug-addicted patients with and without violence problems
(SAGE Publications, 2012) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of violent behaviours in patients who are addicted to drugs. A sample of 252 addicted patients (203 male and 49 female) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed. Information on violent behaviours, socio-demographic factors, consumption factors (assessed by the EuropAsi), psychopathological factors (assessed by SCL-90-R) and personality variables (assessed by MCMI-II) was collected. Drug-addicted patients who were associated with violent behaviours were compared on all variables to patients who were not associated with violent behaviours. The rate of drug-addicted patients with violent behaviours in this sample was 39.68% (n=100). There were significant differences between the numbers of patients who did and did not demonstrate violence on some variables. Patients with violence problems were younger than those without violence problems and were more likely to report having been a victim of abuse. Moreover, they were significantly more likely to have experienced an overdose and showed a significantly higher score on several EuropAsi, SCL-90-R and MCMI-II variables. According to these results, patients with violence control problems present with both a more severe addiction and several comorbid problems. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Therapeutic progression in abused women following a drug-addiction treatment program
(SAGE Publications, 2017) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Azanza Álvarez, Paula; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of victims of abuse and the therapeutic progression among women who sought treatment for drug addiction. A sample of 180 addicted Spanish women was assessed. Information was collected on the patients’ lifetime history of abuse (psychological, physical and/or sexual), socio-demographic factors, consumption variables and psychological symptoms. Of the total sample, 74.4% (n = 134) of the addicted women had been victims of abuse. Psychological abuse affected 66.1% (n = 119) of the patients, followed by physical abuse (51.7%; n = 93) and sexual abuse (31.7%; n = 57). Compared with patients who had not been abused, the addicted women with histories of victimisation scored significantly higher on several EuropASI and psychological variables. Specifically, physical abuse and sexual abuse were related to higher levels of severity of addiction. Regarding therapeutic progression, the highest rate of dropout was observed among victims of sexual abuse (63.5%; n = 33), followed by victims of physical abuse (48.9%; n = 23). Multivariate analysis showed that medical and family areas of the EuropASI, as well as violence problems and suicide ideation, were the main variables related to physical and/or sexual abuse. Moreover, women without abuse and with fewer family problems presented the higher probability of treatment completion. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Relationship between family mental health problems and substance use disorders: a gender perspective analysis
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2023) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Leza González, Leire; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: Little is known about family mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD). This casecontrol study explored the relationship between family (parents and/or siblings) mental health problems (FMHP) and lifetime substance use disorder (SUD), considering a gender perspective. Methods: A sample of 387 patients (n = 306 men, 79.1%; n = 81 women, 20.9%) was recruited from the Proyecto Hombre Navarra (Spain) addiction treatment program. Patients with (80 men; 24 women) and without (226 men; 57 women) FMHP were compared, taking sex into account. Results: The prevalence of FMHP was 26.9%, without significant differences between men (n = 80; 26.1%) and women (n = 24; 29.6%). Men with FMHP reported higher severity in family/social and psychiatric areas than those without FMHP. Women with FMHP reported a higher severity in the psychiatric area and a higher prevalence of anxiety problems, suicidal attempts, previous psychopharmacological treatments, and physical abuse than women without FMHP. Conclusions: FMHP is highly prevalent in patients with SUD. They are associated with lifetime psychopathological problems, mainly in men. Further specific research is needed to evaluate this issue to develop specific treatments tailored to the needs of patients with FMHP.
Open Access
Suicidal attempts among patients with substance use disorders who present with suicidal ideation
(Elsevier, 2019) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Haro Escribano, Begoña; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background and aims: Patients with addictions have a great risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicidal behaviour is a continuum that begins with ideation and may continue with planning, attempts and suicide completion. Investigating the speciﬁc risk characteristics for suicidal attempts in patients with addiction pro- blems who present with suicidal ideation is crucial for developing prevention strategies. The main aims of this study were to determine the prevalence rate of suicide attempts among patients with lifetime suicidal ideation receiving treatment for addiction, and o explore the diﬀerential characteristics for suicide ideators with and without suicide attempts. Methods: A sample of 149 patients with suicidal ideation (110 male and 39 female) who sought treatment for addiction in a Spanish clinical centre was assessed. Measurements: Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, addiction severity, and psycho- pathological symptoms was obtained. Results: In total, 39.6% of the patients had attempted suicide (95% Conﬁdence Interval: 32.1%–47.6%). Although all patients with suicidal behaviours presented a high severity in their addiction, patients with both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts showed a more severe addiction proﬁle and more maladjustment to ev- eryday life than patients with only suicidal ideation. Speciﬁcally, three psychopathological variables were re- lated to suicide attempts: worse psychiatric state, previous hospitalization for psychological problems, and history of delirium. Conclusions: According to the results, a systematic screening of suicidal risk in patients seeking treatment for addiction problems is recommended. Addiction treatment centres should develop treatment strategies to prevent suicidal ideators from attempting suicide, mainly in those cases with a worse lifetime psychiatric condition.
Open Access
Addiction treatment dropout: exploring patients’ characteristics
(Wiley, 2012) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
This study explored the characteristics associated with treatment dropout in substance dependence patients. A sample of 122 addicted patients (84 treatment completers and 38 treatment dropouts) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed to collect information on socio-demographic, consumption (assessed by EuropAsi), psychopathological (assessed by SCL-90-R) and personality variables (assessed by MCMI-II). Completers and dropouts were compared on all studied variables. According to the results, dropouts scored significantly higher on the EuropAsi variables measuring employment/support, alcohol consumption and family/social problems, as well as on the schizotypal scale of MCMI-II. Because most of significant differences were found in EuropAsi variables, three clusters analyses (2, 3 and 4 groups) based on EuropAsi mean scores were carried out to determine clinically relevant information predicting dropout. The most relevant results were obtained when four groups were used. Comparisons between the four groups derived from cluster analysis showed statistically significant differences in the rate of dropout, with one group exhibiting the highest dropout rate. The distinctive characteristics of the group with highest dropout rate included the presence of an increased labour problem combined with high alcohol consumption. Furthermore, this group had the highest scores on three scales of the MCMI-II: phobic, dependent and schizotypal. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.