Concept of health and illness among the drug addicts

Abstract

Effectiveness of drug addiction treatment depends on patients' insight into their disease as well as their representation of the goal (healthy) state. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between the attitudes towards health and illness in patients diagnosed with substance use disorder. The study sample involved 60 individuals addicted to drugs (40 – to alcohol; 20 – to drugs) and 30 healthy individuals (control group). The most pronounced decision-making strategy regarding illness and treatment in both addicted and healthy individuals was the "impersonal locus of causality". This indicates the lack of ideas on how to solve the addiction-related problems. Concept of health and health-related behavior of drug addicts and control group did not differ. Also, the level of interest and involvement in healthy lifestyle of the addiction group corresponded to the average. Drug addicts tended to take the responsibility when it came to the causes of the disease, however the responsibility for the result of the treatment was mainly given to others, including doctors. Among drug addicts the health anxiety was associated with internality with regards to the disease cause and the impersonal locus of causality, i.e. impulsive decision-making strategy towards disease and treatment. In control group, no association was found between the emotional components of attitudes towards health and attitudes towards illness and treatment. Results of the study can contribute to the formation of preventive strategies aimed at reduction of substance abuse and addiction. Well-incorporated prevention, in turn, can form more functional attitude towards illness and treatment, increase responsibility for the result of treatment and lead to the compliance with medical staff.