Life Changes and Health in Two Drug Treatment Modalities

Life Changes and Health in Two Drug Treatment Modalities

Abstract

Lifechangesand Health inTwo Drug Treatment Modalities Andersen, RON,,BAN,, MAN,, Ph.D. 40 Issues in Mental Health Nursing INTRODUCTION Change is an integral part of life. Researchers in the health sciences have found relationships between the occurrence of life changes (measured in different ways) and the onset of physical illness,’ the onset of mental illness,2 the perceived severity of i l l n e ~ s ,and the ~ occurrence of traffic accident^.^ One group of people who have multiple health problems and are undergoing a great deal of life change is the group composed of drug-dependent clients in treatmentS5+ According to the literature reviewed,’ ,3,4,10-16 illness has been associated with a high number of recent changes in one’s life, such as moving, changing jobs, divorce, or death of a spouse. Recent changes are defined as those occurring within the past six months. Life Changes and H a t in Drug elh Dependent Clients in Treatment Poor health accompanies a high number of changes in one’s life, and drug addicts can be expected to have a high incidence of illness because of life changes. Numerous investigators have described the multiple health problems of drugdependent individuals.’ 7-24 To date, however, it