Perceived social support as predictor of treatment completion in methamphetamine dependent individuals

Abstract

Introduction: perceived social support (PSS) is considered an important factor to lessen the negative effects of stressful events. Likewise, the literature suggests a beneficial impact on the evolution of different diseases. However, little is known about the relationship between PSS and treatment completion in methamphetamine-dependent individuals who receive help in a forced manner. Objective: to evaluate the effect of perceived social support (PSS) on treatment completion in methamphetamine-dependent individuals. Methods: prospective study with a cohort of 67 men on whom PSS, addiction severity, anxiety, and depression were assessed. Results: analysis of variance of prospectively obtained data showed that age, years of drug use, and PSS differed between those who completed the treatment and those who did not. Logistic regression analysis showed that increases in PSS (Odds Ratio, OR = .970, Confidence Interval - CI 95 % = .943 - .999) were predictive of a decrease in the probability of completing the treatment, while age had the opposite effect (OR = 1.117, CI 95 % = .1.027 - 1.215). Discussion and conclusion: these results show that the role of social support in the treatment of chronic conditions is complex and suggest the need to study the nature and quality of the social interactions that lead to therapeutic success.