Term of Award
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Health in Community Health Behavior and Education (Dr.P.H.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Health Policy and Community Health
Committee Chair
Joanne Chopak-Foss
Committee Member 1
Robert Bohler
Committee Member 2
Bettye Apenteng
Committee Member 3
Jing Kersey
Abstract
Background: Substance use problems represent one of the most urgent and complex public health challenges in the United States. More than 48 million Americans live with a substance use disorder on a range of severity levels. Recovery from alcohol and substance use problems remains a lifegoal for those who struggle with a substance use problem, and yet it is challenging due to a combination of factors, including high rates of mental health comorbidities, low rates of treatment utilization, etc. We examined the socio-demographic, mental health, and multimorbidity factors associated with recovery status.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional study design using secondary data from the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Our analysis was restricted to respondents over the age of 18, pooling together publicly available data from 2021 and 2022. Logistic regression models were used to examine determinants of recovery outcomes overall and stratified by gender. Factors associated with current substance use among those in recovery were also explored.
Results: The majority of respondents with a self-reported problem from alcohol and drug use reported recovery from their problem. In adjusted models of aggregated data, age, having children, being married, tobacco use, education level, mental health recovery, and multimorbidity were associated with reported recovery in the full sample.
In stratified analysis, the strongest correlates of recovery among women were recovery from a mental health problem, multimorbidity, past-year major depressive episode, suicidal thoughts, and being divorced or separated. The strongest predictors among men included recovery from a mental health problem, multimorbidity, and being married.
Lastly, the adjusted model of non-abstinence identified age, rurality, education level, tobacco use, and mental health recovery as predictors of current substance use among those in recovery.
Conclusions: The study highlights the distinct needs and challenges of those with a substance use problem engaged in recovery and suggests the importance of addressing additional mental and physical health needs. A multitude of interventions can be utilized to support recovery initiation and sustain it long-term, taking into consideration gender differences in recovery trajectories. Implications of findings for clinical practice, public health interventions and future research suggestions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Shehaj, Blerta, "Recovery Outcomes From Substance Use Problems: An Investigation of the Role of Mental Health, Physical Health, and Gender Differences" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2938.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/2938
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
