Spouses Family Interaction Patterns among Person with Alcohol Dependence and Opioid Dependence Syndrome

Background: The impacts of alcohol and opioid dependence problems on the family members are wide-spread, i.e., physical, psychological, social, financial, increased absents at workplace, unemployment and poor relationships. Substance dependence spouses are living with continuous source of stress and conflicts. Family system affects several ways into every area of life. Hence this study was intended to know how the spouse’s family interaction patterns among individuals with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) and Opioid Dependence Syndrome (ODS). Methodology: This study was hospital based cross sectional study conducted on only male married patients at Central Institute of Psychiatry and approved by ethical committee of institution. The total sample were consisted of sixty (n=60) male married patients, diagnosed as per ICD-10 criteria for research selected by purposively. Then dived into two groups as thirty (n=30) individuals with alcohol dependence and another thirty (n=30) individuals with opioid dependence and their caring spouses. The patient’s age was between 25 – 50 years and spouses age 20 – 50 years, wives must living with the patients in the same household were included in the study. Subsequently tools applied on patients’- addiction severity index and Rotter’s locus of control scales for screening purpose on both groups. The patients spouses’ were administered by family interaction pattern scale on both groups. The data was analyzed on Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS – 25.0) appropriate tests were used. Results: The study finding were found significant difference (at 0.01 level) both domains social support and leadership of family interaction pattern between both group and observed high in opioids dependence. This study also revealed that other domains reinforcement, role, communication and cohesiveness higher in opioid dependence than alcohol dependence. Conclusion: In this study perceived spouses of opioid dependence were more dysfunctional family interaction patterns than alcohol dependence.