'I'm a sick person, not a bad person': patient experiences of treatments for alcohol use disorders

BACKGROUND: Emerging research indicates that standard treatments for alcohol use disorders may not fully meet the needs of patients with co-occurring severe mental health symptoms. Investigating health quality indicators may provide insight into how current treatment might be improved. OBJECTIVE: To better understand the experiences of patients receiving treatment for alcohol use disorders and compare the experiences of patients with and without co-occurring severe mental health symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews methods and framework analysis approach. SETTING: Inpatient hospital, outpatient service, inpatient detoxification clinic and a residential/ therapeutic community. PARTICIPANT'S: Thirty-four patients receiving treatment for an alcohol use disorder. MAIN VARIABLES STUDIED: Themes relating to patients' experiences of continuity of care, treatment need and satisfaction with treatment were studied. The qualitative data were divided into two groups: patients with (n = 15) and without (n = 19) severe mental health symptoms. RESULTS: Five themes relating to patient satisfaction with treatment were identified, including: perceived effectiveness of treatment, supportive relationships, specialized but holistic care, patient autonomy and continuity of care. A diverse range of patient treatment needs, staff and service continuity and stigma were also identified as major themes. Five basic themes were identified as more critical to the experiences of patients with severe mental health symptoms. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that patients look for supportive relationships with others, to be involved in treatment decisions, effective specialized and holistic approaches to care and a non-judgemental treatment environment.