Psychoactive Prescription Drug Abuse: Selected Psychological Symptoms and Quality of Life in Addiction Treatment. Study Protocol

BACKGROUND: The abuse of psychoactive prescription drugs has become increasingly common in the Czech Republic. These drugs include sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics (benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics), and opioids. Patients with an addiction to these prescription drugs exhibit symptoms associated with long-term use, particularly psychological and somatic problems, sleep disturbances, impaired cognitive functioning, and irritability. There is a need for a flexible response to their needs.

AIMS: The aim of the research is to describe selected psychological symptoms and the quality of life of psychoactive drug abusers in addiction treatment. The main outputs of the research will include an overview study and the results of a data analysis.

METHODS: Data collection will be carried out in three waves using a questionnaire survey consisting of standardised questionnaires. It will be conducted at the patient’s admission to the addiction treatment clinic, and, while in treatment, three and six months after the first survey. The research will also include a study of supporting documentation. The questionnaires will be evaluated according to the procedure manual for each standardised questionnaire. The qualitative data analysis will use a combination of a descriptive approach and selected qualitative data analysis techniques (pattern capture method, compare & contrast method). For the quantitative data analysis, exploratory analysis procedures will be used in combination with a descriptive approach.

DISCUSSION: The prevalence of psychoactive prescription drug abuse continues to rise. Although much research on this topic has been conducted in recent years, we lack studies focusing specifically on the effective treatment of people addicted to psychoactive prescription drugs. The results of this study will provide information on selected psychological manifestations and the quality of life of psychoactive drug abusers in addiction treatment. The data on the relationships between types of substances used, patterns of use, the treatment phase, selected psychological symptoms, and the quality of life may also be of value.