Intervention methods for the psychological problems faced by the wives of individuals with substance use disorders.

In present-day Sri Lanka, substance use is a significant societal problem that impacts the user and their family. The family is exposed to various negative consequences. Substance use disorders have extended beyond health concerns and created significant psychological, social, and economic effects for the user, their spouse, and their children. The research problem pertained to identifying What are the most effective coping strategies for addressing psychological issues among wives of substance use-disordered offenders. The objective was to discover and evaluate coping mechanisms that could be employed by these women to deal with the psychological impact of their husbands' substance use.
This research utilized quantitative and qualitative methods, including a questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and case studies. The sampling process was purposeful and involved 35 wives of community-based correctional offenders. Data was collected through 30 questionnaires and 5 in-depth interviews. After analyzing the results of the questionnaire, The main category of psychological issues could be further divided into four subcategories: Anxiety, Depression, Mental Illnesses, and somatoform disorders. Developing an impactful coping strategy for psychological challenges is frequently regarded as a complex aspect of managing mental health issues.
Wives with partners who have substance use disorders often experience psychological issues. Studie shows that 93% suffer from anxiety and 50% from depression. 10% have been diagnosed with psychotic or somatoform disorders, and 20% have physical illnesses.. In the context of intervention methods, 50% of the respondents indicated a preference for pharmacotherapy, while 30% favored behavioral therapies and psychological counseling. Furthermore, 20% expressed a preference for both intervention methods. Combining intervention methods such as pharmacotherapy and behavioral and psychological counseling is likely to yield more favorable outcomes.
Keywords- SUD, Offender, Gender, Psychological issues, Intervention methods