Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Benita Stiles-Smith

Abstract

Little research has been conducted exploring contributing stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic that may have led to alcohol relapse among individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Prior to the pandemic, alcohol use was at an all-time high; during the pandemic, the rates of substance use rose significantly more. AUDs are a leading mental health problem with over 32.6 million meeting diagnostic criteria in the United States. This study was conducted to explore self-identified factors leading up to relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals diagnosed with AUDs, with a focus on the circumstances and events leading up to relapse. This qualitative study included six participants, three male and three female, from whom data were collected. Drawing upon Marlatt and Gordon’s relapse prevention model as a theoretical foundation, interview data were assessed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis to identify themes in the causes for participants’ relapses. Major themes were identified as phasic responses, tonic processes/proximal risks, and intrapersonal factors. The findings of this study could contribute to avoidance of substance use related fallout during future pandemics and could help guide policy and governmental funding decisions in the event of another similar large-scale disaster. These results could have implications for positive social change by helping in the development of evidence-based interventions to help deter relapse, the data could be used to guide future legislation on essential businesses in the event of a lockdown, and the findings might be useful in determining the allocation of resources to combat the side effects of another large-scale disaster.

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