(195) Association Between Health Status and Access to Treatment in a Sample of Women Recovering from Substance Use Disorders

Publication Number: 869

Background: Data on the impact of the opioid crisis on the health status of women recovering from substance use disorder are limited.

Objectives: To describe differences in the physical and mental health, substance use and access to treatment and support services according to the health status of women recovering from substance use disorder.

Methods: A structured survey was administered in-person and virtually to 50 adult women who were in recovery for substance use disorder. Participants were recruited from recovery programs and via social media. The survey gathered information on demographics, physical health status, depression symptoms, current and history of substance use, and recovery and support services. The sample was stratified by self-reported good/excellent versus fair/poor health status. We used standardized mean differences (SMD) to assess group differences.

Results: Among 50 women surveyed 24 (48%) reported good/excellent and 26 (52%) reported fair/poor health status. Relative to women reporting good/excellent health, a significantly larger proportion of women in fair/poor health reported ever receiving any mental health treatment (83% vs 100%, SMD=0.63) or medication for depression (58% vs 81%, SMD=0.50) despite non-significant difference in depression severity between groups. A smaller proportion of women reporting good/excellent health enrolled in peer support programs (38% vs 77%, SMD=0.87) and in a health/wellness program (63% vs 92%, SMD=0.76). Regardless of health status, a large proportion reported experiencing severe pain (58%) and use of prescription and illicit drugs to manage pain (58%). Despite access to recovery services, 30% of the sample was still engaged in substance use.

Conclusions: Women in recovery for substance use disorder who report good/excellent health may benefit from tailored approaches to promote use of mental health treatment. Current use of pain medication and illicit drugs, regardless of health status, place women at risk for poor outcomes of substance use recovery.