İntroduction: Alcohol and substance use disorders are conditions that can significantly affect all areas of an individual's life. Research in this field shows that addiction negatively impacts social adjustment and functioning. This study aims to examine the effects of addiction on social adjustment and functioning in patients followed in an addiction rehabilitation program.
Method: 103 patients who received treatment and follow-up at XXXXXXXXXXXX Addiction Rehabilitation Center and were diagnosed with Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria, were included in the study. This study was designed as a pre-post test (6 months) comparison longitudinal research (Sociodemographic Data Form, Functional Assessment Short Test, Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale).
Results: Comparisons between pre-post scale scores revealed a significant increase (p<0.001) in SASS scores. Significant decreases were observed in scores for autonomy, occupational functioning, cognitive functioning, financial issues, interpersonal relationships, leisure activities, and total FAST (p<0.001) scores. Analysis of the relationships between change scores showed a strong negative correlation between changes in SASS scores and changes in FAST autonomy (ρ = -0.624, p < 0.001) and FAST total scores (ρ = -0.627, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Findings indicate that as social adaptation improved, functional impairments decreased. Social adaptation and functionality should be considered essential parameters in both the treatment and monitoring of substance use disorders. The observed improvements in these areas among patients in follow-up suggest the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs and underscore their value in facilitating reintegration into society.