Course of Psychiatric Symptoms and Abstinence among Methamphetamine-Dependent Persons in Sober Living Recovery Homes

Abstract

Background: Although studies of co-occurring psychiatric disorders among methamphetamine (MA)-dependent persons have been conducted in treatment programs, none have examined them in service settings used to sustain long-term recovery, such as sober living houses (SLHs).

Methods: Residents entering SLHs (N = 243) were interviewed within two weeks and at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up. Measures assessed psychiatric symptoms using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), past-year drug and alcohol dependence, and abstinence over six-month time periods.

Results: Overall, severity of psychiatric symptoms on the BSI was similar among MA-dependent and other dependent residents. Global psychiatric severity, depression, and somatization scales on the BSI predicted abstinence for both groups. However, phobic anxiety and hostility scales were associated with abstinence for MA-dependent residents but not for those dependent on other substances.

Conclusion: The similarity of psychiatric symptoms among persons with and without MA dependence in SLHs is different from what studies have found in treatment programs. The association between psychiatric symptoms and abstinence for both groups suggests SLHs should consider provision of on- or off-site mental health services. Additional research is needed to understand why phobic anxiety and hostility are associated with abstinence among MA-dependent residents but not those dependent on other substances.

Keywords: Brief symptom inventory; methamphetamine; psychiatric symptoms; recovery home; sober living house.

Figure 1

Mean scores for BSI clinical scales and GSI over time