Building abstinent networks is an important resource in improving quality of life

- Patients who stayed in treatment, dropped out, or completed were interviewed twice.
- Gaining an abstinent social network correlated with quality of life improvements.
- Social isolation appears particular risky for those outside of the treatment system.
- Clinical focus needs to be on increasing contact with abstinent peers.

AimsTo investigate changes in social network and quality of life of a substance use disorder cohort as they progressed through treatment.DesignMulti-site, prospective, observational study of 338 adults entering substance use disorder treatment.SettingPatients at 21 facilities across Norway contributed baseline data when they initiated treatment, and follow-up data was collected from them one year later.MethodsThe cohort was divided into those who completed, dropped out, and remained in treatment one year after treatment initiation. For each treatment status group, general linear models with repeated measures analyzed global and social quality of life with the generic QOL10 instrument over time. The between-group factor was a change in social network variable from the EuropASI.FindingsThose who gained an abstinent network reported the largest quality of life improvements. Improvements were smallest or negligible for the socially isolated and those who were no longer in contact with the treatment system.ConclusionsDeveloping an abstinent network is particularly important to improve the quality of life of those in substance use disorder treatment. Social isolation is a risk factor for impaired quality of life throughout the treatment course.