Family Caregivers of Individuals Impacted by SUD During Times of Sociopolitical Uncertainty: A Descriptive Exploratory Study.

Background: Families are an essential resource for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). The COVID-19 pandemic and other recent sociopolitical and economic events, such as budget cuts, rising inflation, heightened social stigma, and political uncertainty, have intensified the stress already experienced by these families. The purpose of this study was to identify the unmet needs and resources available to families of individuals with SUD, given the current sociopolitical and economic environments.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design with semistructured interviews was used to gain insight into families' life experiences and the resources participants identified as necessary to meet the economic challenges and changing needs of the families caring for an individual with SUD. Participants (n = 11) were purposively selected family members of individuals with SUD. Interviews both online and by telephone were recorded and transcribed verbatim using Zoom audio transcription software. Thematic analysis was completed by two researchers using MAXQDA to support data analysis.

Results: Thematic content analysis resulted in six themes associated with unmet needs identified by families: trauma-informed care; challenges specific to older adults; structural and internal stigma; family burden; technology and infrastructure barriers; and social isolation and loneliness.

Conclusions: Participants provided an insider, expert perspective to inform nursing practice and shape health policy to support families of individuals with SUD. Findings will help identify the gaps at the intersection of family health and policy, and allow for the development of interventions and resources that will meet the unmet needs of this highly stigmatized population.