An examination of psychological risk factors for the development of substance abuse among post-bariatric surgery patients

<p>Bariatric surgery is a clinically effective tool that commonly results in sustained weight loss changes for the majority of patients. While bariatric surgery is generally associated with a number of positive health outcomes post-operatively, some popular media outlets and clinical anecdotes have presented concerns about the notion of “addiction transfer” and substance abuse post-bariatric surgery. There is a lack of research, however, in this area. The present study examined the rate of substance abuse in a broad sample of postbariatric surgery patients and examined potential risk factors for the development of substance abuse post-surgery. It was hypothesized that documented risk factors for substance abuse, more generally, would also predict substance abuse among this population. In addition, it was hypothesized that a number of theoretically-driven variables would predict substance abuse among this sample more specifically. For instance, it was hypothesized that those who had high food addiction scores pre-surgery would be more likely to meet criteria for substance abuse post-surgery, thereby supporting the addiction transfer theory. Participants completed a web-based survey assessing retrospective accounts of pre-surgical substance use, eating pathology, family history, and traumatic history, post-surgical substance use, life stressors, and body image, and global trait-like measures such as emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and coping skills. Findings revealed that a subgroup of individuals met criteria for substance abuse post-bariatric surgery; however, the majority of those who met substance abuse criteria post-surgery did not have a history of substance abuse. Family history of substance abuse, poor coping skills, and major life stressors were related to substance abuse post-bariatric surgery, particularly for the new-onset substance abuse group. Contrary to expectations, however, the theory of addiction transfer was not supported. Findings highlight future directions for pre-bariatric assessments and the need for improved follow-up care among post-bariatric surgery patients. Future longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to better understand both psychological and physiological risk factors for substance abuse development post-bariatric surgery.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Ivezaj, Valentina

Contributors dc:contributor

• Karen Saules, Ph.D., Chair
• Anne Eshelman, PhD, ABPP
• Tamara Loverich, PhD

• gastric bypass
• obesity
• substance abuse
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/408

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1777