Identifying the most important research, policy and practice questions for substance use, problematic alcohol use and behavioural addictions in autism (SABA-A): A priority setting partnership.

Journal: Comprehensive psychiatry

Volume: 124

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2023

Affiliated Institutions:  Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Italy; Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council, Italy. Centre for Applied Autism Research, University of Bath, UK. Institute of Mental Health, University of Birmingham, UK. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia. University of the West of England, UK. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. Expert by Experience, UK. Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Denmark. Human Kind, UK. Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK. Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research council, South Africa; Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, UK. Turning Point, UK. Vice Chancellor's Office, Federation University, Australia; Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Australia. Chitra Sethia Autism Centre, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Fulbourn, Cambridge, UK. Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK. Electronic address: srchamb@gmail.com.

Abstract summary 

Autistic people are more likely to report problematic alcohol and other substance use when compared to the general population. Evidence suggests that up to one in three autistic adults may have an alcohol or other substance use disorder (AUD/SUD), although the evidence base for behavioural addictions is less clear. Autistic people may use substances or engage in potentially addictive behaviours as a means of coping with social anxiety, challenging life problems, or camouflaging in social contexts. Despite the prevalence and detrimental effects of AUD, SUD and behavioural addictions in community samples, literature focusing on the intersection between autism and these conditions is scarce, hindering health policy, research, and clinical practice.We aimed to identify the top 10 priorities to build the evidence for research, policy, and clinical practice at this intersection. A priority-setting partnership was used to address this aim, comprising an international steering committee and stakeholders from various backgrounds, including people with declared lived experience of autism and/or addiction. First, an online survey was used to identify what people considered key questions about Substance use, alcohol use, or behavioural addictions in autistic people (SABA-A). These initial questions were reviewed and amended by stakeholders, and then classified and refined to form the final list of top priorities via an online consensus process.The top ten priorities were identified: three research, three policy, and four practice questions. Future research suggestions are discussed.

Authors & Co-authors:  Sinclair Julia M A JMA Aslan Betul B Agabio Roberta R Anilkumar Amith A Brosnan Mark M Day Ed E Dowling Nicki A NA Flood Chelsey C Grant Jon E JE Halliday Robyn R Hofvander Björn B Howes Leesa L Moseley Rachel R Myers Bronwyn B O'Connor Vincent V Shaya Gabriel G Thomas Shane S Robinson Janine J Chamberlain Samuel R SR

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Kenny L, Hattersley C, Molins B, Buckley C, Povey C, Pellicano E. Which terms should be used to describe autism? Perspectives from the UK autism community. Autism. 2016;20(4):442–62.
Authors :  19
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152393
SSN : 1532-8384
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Addiction;Autism;Gambling;Problematic alcohol use;Substance use
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States