Background and aim: Although literature suggests that quality of life (QoL) in women with substance use disorders (SUDs) is lower than in men, it remains unknown whether this 1) applies to SUD...Show moreBackground and aim: Although literature suggests that quality of life (QoL) in women with substance use disorders (SUDs) is lower than in men, it remains unknown whether this 1) applies to SUD patients with psychiatric comorbidities in the Netherlands; and 2) whether there is a gender difference in QoL gain during treatment. This study therefore aimed to compare QoL (gain) between genders. Because research linked mood problems to worse QoL and substance usage in women, it was also the aim to compare genders in the association between (change in) mood problems and (change in) QoL. Methods: The longitudinal design involved data of day-patient treatments between 2018-2020. Sixty nine females and one hundred and thirty males with SUDs and comorbidities were assessed, using the EQ-5D-3L and the ICECAP-A. Analysis of variance and moderation analyses were performed with multiple imputation, controlling for treatment group. Results: At pretest, QoL in women was significantly lower when compared to men. There was no significant gender difference concerning gain in QoL, as well as regarding the association between mood problems and QoL at pretest and posttest. Conclusions: Women with SUDs and comorbidities experience lower QoL than men, a gender gap that is less profound in the normal population. Stigma and adverse life conditions arguably play a role. There is no evidence that men and women profit differently from treatment. In any case, mood problems, trauma experiences and meaningful activities could be considered more in future studies, as their association with QoL seems to be critical.Show less
In the past decade, one of the main difficulties in describing a general relationship between substance abuse and violent crime is the question whether different types of substances may relate...Show moreIn the past decade, one of the main difficulties in describing a general relationship between substance abuse and violent crime is the question whether different types of substances may relate differently to violent crime, and which other factors may be influential. The current study investigated the effect of different types and combinations of substances on violent offenses committed by Dutch youth (16-22 years) who were starting an addiction treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) with alcohol, cannabis, or stimulants (cocaine or amphetamines). Participants (N=310) were individually assessed, with questions about their substance use behavior and whether they had committed a violent offense. The independent variables for this study were polysubstance use, combined stimulants and alcohol use, and singular or combined cannabis use. Contrary to the hypotheses, the association between polysubstance use and violent offenses was not significant (OR=1.14, 95% CI= 0.62–2.08), and the association between stimulants use and violent offenses (OR=1.20, 95% CI=0.47– 3.04) and between cannabis use and violent offenses (OR= 0.63, 95% CI=0.34–1.18) was not significant either. The covariate ‘indication of conduct disorder’ had a significant influence on the relationship between types of SUD and the occurrence of violent offenses, but an influence of age and gender on this relationship was not found. Because this is the first study with a clinical youth sample, the best explanation for these findings is that the psychoactive effects of the substances were (at least) not the primary influence of the occurrence of violent offenses committed by youth.Show less
