Couple Relationships in Substance Misuse Populations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Experience of Treatment for Substance Misuse whilst in a Close Relationship with another Substance Misuser
IRAS ID
229985
Contact name
Paul Workman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 27 days
Research summary
Problem drug use is seen as a long-term problem which can affect the people using the drugs and their family. There can be pattern of stopping treatment and coming back for support over a long time. Drugs such as heroin make up the largest number of the people in treatment for drug use, but it has been shown that these drug users have the lowest positive outcomes from treatment. Close relationships have been shown to be a strong reason for a person to use support from treatment services and in improving their drug use. Studies suggests that family members that are a part of a substance user’s treatment can also have a helpful effect on the person’s progress. But the research has been mainly with families who are not using drugs. The research looking at drug using couples shows that this can have a worse impact on a person’s use of treatment and long-term progress. Learning how people feel about being in treatment for drug use whilst being with another drug user would help show us ways of helping people improve their use of treatment. This current study will use a research approach to gain an in-depth insight into the world of such people.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0037
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion