The experience of mood disorder and substance use: an integrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Substance use is highly prevalent among people with mood disorders. Effective treatment for these people requires a better understanding of the relationship between both mood and substance use from the perspectives of those with lived experience.

QUESTION: What are the reasons those with lived experience of mood disorders give for substance use?

METHOD: An integrative review was conducted. The Joanna Briggs Institute suite of critical appraisal tools was used to evaluate the quality of individual studies. Data relevant to the review question were extracted and the results were synthesised into themes.

RESULTS: Eighteen papers met the eligibility criteria. Three themes were identified across the included studies: Managing my mood, More Effective than prescribed medication, and Escape from trauma and hardship.

DISCUSSION: This integrative review identified that people with a mood disorder who use substances described choosing to take substances to manage their mood, as an alternative to prescribed medications, and to cope with trauma and social hardships.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Mental health nurses need to provide care that recognises why people use substances. They need to understand these reasons to provide a harm reduction and trauma-informed model of care. Evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions for mood disorders need to be available as an alternative to medications or as a supplement.