Poster Session-The Relationship Between Therapeutic Alliance and Prescription Drug Misuse

The Relationship Between Therapeutic Alliance and Prescription Drug Misuse

Pdf Summary

This research study explores the relationship between therapeutic alliance and prescription drug misuse. The rising number of drug-related overdose deaths in the United States has led to increased concerns about controlled substances. Many physicians are now hesitant to prescribe these drugs due to fears of misuse. However, it is unclear which patient behaviors constitute misuse, how physician perceptions of misuse impact their actions, and how these actions may affect the therapeutic alliance and treatment outcomes.<br /><br />The researchers used a survey with 58 questions to assess demographics, problematic prescription behaviors, and measures of treatment alliance and satisfaction. They recruited 301 survey respondents who were 18 years or older, living in the United States, and using controlled medications. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between demographic factors, substance use patterns, patient and physician actions, therapeutic alliance, and negative health events.<br /><br />The study found that there were two independent factors in therapeutic alliance: "bad alliance" and "good alliance." The "bad alliance" factor strongly correlated with substance use disorder score, patient and physician actions, use from illicit sources, reported toxic ingestion, and the number of drug classes used. Higher substance use disorder scores, "bad alliance," problematic patient behaviors, and toxic ingestion were associated with stimulant use, use of more than one type of drug class, and use from illicit sources. Linear regression models showed that toxic ingestion was predicted by "bad alliance" and substance use disorder score.<br /><br />The study has limitations, including its correlational nature and potential sampling bias from online surveys. However, it provides insights into the importance of the therapeutic alliance in predicting negative treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to explore factors related to "bad alliance" and predict it. Overall, this study highlights the need for a better understanding of the relationship between therapeutic alliance and prescription drug misuse.

Keywords

therapeutic alliance

prescription drug misuse

drug-related overdose deaths

controlled substances

physician perceptions

patient behaviors

treatment outcomes

survey

substance use disorder score

toxic ingestion

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