Social network size and composition and the relationship to drug use and psychological functioning

Social networks and psychiatric disorders have been found to influence treatment outcomes of drug users. This study hypothesized that the size of drug use network was associated with a higher frequency of drug use, and that higher frequency of drug use was associated with higher Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) dimension scores. The community sample of 224 out-of-treatment drug users and matched nonusers was obtained from participants of the Risk Networks Study. Participants were administered the BSI to obtain psychological functioning data, and the Network Risk Assessment to obtain drug use, social network, and demographic data. Results indicate that the size of drug use networks may be important in the frequency of drug use. In addition, more drug use appears to negatively influence psychological functioning. Drug treatment programs that include both psychological treatment and social network support may be more effective in the treatment of addiction and in improving mental well-being.