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Community Support for Persons with Substance Use Disorders: A Scoping Review

A. Yamashita 1

1 Faculty of Medicine/School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University, Japan

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex interactions between various genetic,
environmental, developmental, and social factors.

Objective: This study comprehensively reviews studies on community support for persons with SUDs
in Japan and integrates insights to help establish a community living support system for those with
SUDs.

Methods: The study design utilizes a scoping review. The online version of Igaku Chuo Zasshi (version
5) was used to search original articles published in Japan (accessed in May 2024). Regarding the
research question, the participants were persons with SUDs, the concept was community support by
medical professionals, and the context was Japan. Of these, nine that met the pre-established criteria
were chosen for analysis. The analysis was performed using a review matrix table that lists the target
articles’ author(s), year of publication, research objective, subject, research method, and the
community support involved.

Results: The community support for those with SUDs included measures to help them avert mental
and physical crisis and loss of livelihood, as well as encouragement for recovery. In addition, those
with comorbid disorders (those with both SUDs and mental disorders) were given support for taking
medication and for building human relationships through communication. Those who may have
violated the law were put through a rehabilitation program that would lead to a partial suspension
of sentences and were given assistance for securing living accommodations. As for future
challenges, it was indicated that a support system should be established for severe cases through
assertive community treatment, that multi-organizational collaboration should be pursued among
Poster Presentation Abstracts
judicial and health and welfare institutions, and that a training system should be created for peer staff
regarding mental health and welfare.

Conclusion: Community support for persons with SUDs in Japan requires a multi-organizational,
multi-professional 24-hour support system to ensure a “housing first” policy, prevent relapse, and
implement early intervention.

Keywords: social support, substance use disorder, scoping review

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Correspondence: Ayako Yamashita, Faculty of Medicine/School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima
University, Japan
E-mail: aya-yama@health.nop.kagoshima-u.ac.jp

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