Innovative Approaches in Addiction Recovery Research: Exploring Symptom Networks and Missing Data

Substance use disorders, like alcohol and cannabis disorder, affect millions of Canadians, harming their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Many people with substance use disorders also struggle with mental health issues like depression, making recovery more challenging. Traditionally, mental health disorders like substance use disorder are thought to directly cause their associated symptoms, but new approaches suggest the reverse; that symptoms cause the disorder. This study uses an innovative method called network analysis to explore how the symptoms of alcohol and cannabis use disorder are connected and how they overlap with depression. This study also examines why some people drop out of treatment programs and how losing data from these individuals can be problematic in addiction research. Through collaboration with Homewood Research Institute, this research aims to uncover symptom and treatment patterns that will enhance our understanding and treatment of addiction, benefiting both Homewood Health patients and addiction recovery programs on a broader scale.

Faculty Supervisor:

James MacKillop

Student:

Partner:

Homewood Research Institute

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McMaster University

Program: