The Stayer Study

The Norwegian Stayer study is a naturalistic, prospective cohort study of the course and timing of neurocognitive and psychosocial recovery in patients with substance use disorder. The Stayer-study will monitor participants over a period of 10 years, using a both quantitative and qualitative methods. 

Primary research aims  

• Describe clinical recovery from substance use disorder
• Describe personal recovery from substance use disorder. 
• Expand our knowledge of cognitive determinants in substance use disorder, with emphasis on different types of cognitive assessment.   

Project details  

Participants: N= 208 patients were recruited from the Stavanger University Hospital catchment area between March 2012 and January 2016.  

Timeframe: The project will complete its data collection in 2026.  

Principal investigator: Prof. Aleksander Hagen Erga, PhD 

Project group: Thomas Svendsen, Anne Lill Mjølhus Njå, Siri Lunde, user representatives in various roles. 

Research group: The project group also includes a multidisciplinary research group with background in clinical psychology, social work, and sociology.  

Current PhD-candidates: Elise Constance Fodstad, Thomas Svendsen and Sandra Drevsjø. 

PhD alumni: Mariann Vigdal, Jens Hetland, Inger Eide Robertson, Fredrik D. Moe, Egon Hagen.  

Collaboration: Researchers from University of Stavanger, University of Bergen, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Pennsylvania, Aarhus University, and several clinical research groups in Norway. 

Scientific publications

1. Vigdal, M.I., et al., Stories of building friendships during long-term recovery from problematic substance use. Qualitative Social Work, 2024. 23(5): p. 868-886.DOI: 10.1177/14733250241242028.
2. Moe, F.D., et al., The interdependence of substance use, satisfaction with life, and psychological distress: a dynamic structural equation model analysis. Front Psychiatry, 2024. 15: p. 1288551.DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1288551.
3. Hetland, J., A.J. Lundervold, and A.H. Erga, Cognitive impairment as a predictor of long-term psychological distress in patients with polysubstance use disorders: a prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMC Psychiatry, 2024. 24(1): p. 143.DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05600-x.
4. Fodstad, E.C., et al., Personality traits as predictors of recovery among patients with substance use disorder. J Subst Use Addict Treat, 2024. 162: p. 209360.DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209360.
5. Erga, A.H., et al., The Relationship Between Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health in Substance Use Disorders: A 6-Year Retrospective Analysis. J Dual Diagn, 2024. 20(3): p. 210-222.DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2024.2338799.
6. Vigdal, M.I., et al., Rebuilding Social Networks in Long-term Social Recovery from Substance-Use Problems. British Journal of Social Work, 2023. 53(8): p. 3608-3626.DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcad134.
7. Hetland, J., et al., Performance on Cognitive Screening Tests and Long-Term Substance Use Outcomes in Patients with Polysubstance Use Disorder. Eur Addict Res, 2023. 29(2): p. 150-159.DOI: 10.1159/000528921.
8. Veseth, M., et al., "And then the rest happened"- A qualitative exploration of the role that meaningful activities play in recovery processes for people with a diagnosis of substance use disorder. Subst Abus, 2022. 43(1): p. 260-266.DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1941506.
9. Fodstad, E.C., et al., Personality and substance use disorder: Characteristics as measured by NEO-personality inventory-revised. Front Psychol, 2022. 13: p. 982763.DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.982763.
10. Erga, A.H., et al., Persistent sleep problems among people in recovery from substance use disorders: a mixed methods study. Addiction Research & Theory, 2022. 30(6): p. 422-430.DOI: 10.1080/16066359.2022.2074406.
11. Belfrage, A., et al., Traumatic Experiences and PTSD-symptoms in Polysubstance Use Disorder: A comparison of recovered versus current users. Nordic studies in Alcohol and Drugs, 2022.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1455072522112222.
12. Svendsen, T.S., et al., Securing Participant Engagement in Longitudinal Substance Use Disorder Recovery Research: A Qualitative Exploration of Key Retention Factors. Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health, 2021. 8(3): p. 247-259.DOI: 10.1007/s40737-021-00222-y.
13. Robertson, I.E., et al., The hunt for a job: narrating the process of gaining employment for people in recovery from lives dominated by drug use. Drugs-Education Prevention and Policy, 2022. 29(6): p. 675-684.DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2021.1973962.
14. Robertson, I.E., et al., Narratives of Change: Identity and Recognition Dynamics in the Process of Moving Away From a Life Dominated by Drug Use. Contemporary Drug Problems, 2021. 48(3): p. 204-222.DOI: 10.1177/00914509211027075.
15. Hetland, J., et al., Prevalence and Characteristics of Borderline Intellectual Functioning in a Cohort of Patients With Polysubstance Use Disorder. Front Psychiatry, 2021. 12: p. 651028.DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.651028.
16. Svendsen, T.S., et al., "Becoming myself": how participants in a longitudinal substance use disorder recovery study experienced receiving continuous feedback on their results. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy, 2020. 15(1): p. 8.DOI: 10.1186/s13011-020-0254-x.
17. Erga, A.H., et al., Trajectories of psychological distress during recovery from polysubstance use disorder. Addiction Research & Theory, 2021. 29(1): p. 64-71.DOI: 10.1080/16066359.2020.1730822.
18. Bjornestad, J., et al., Reports of the benefits of drug use from individuals with substance use disorders. Psychother Res, 2020. 30(6): p. 718-727.DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2019.1677965.
19. Veseth, M., et al., A Stabilizing and Destabilizing Social World: Close Relationships and Recovery Processes in SUD. Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health, 2019. 6(1): p. 93-106.DOI: 10.1007/s40737-019-00137-9.
20. Robertson, I.E. and S.M. Nesvag, Into the unknown: Treatment as a social arena for drug users' transition into a non-using life. Nordisk Alkohol Nark, 2019. 36(3): p. 248-266.DOI: 10.1177/1455072518796898.
21. Hagen, E., et al., Measuring cognitive impairment in young adults with polysubstance use disorder with MoCA or BRIEF-A - The significance of psychiatric symptoms. J Subst Abuse Treat, 2019. 97: p. 21-27.DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.11.010.
22. Bjornestad, J., et al., "A Life More Ordinary" Processes of 5-Year Recovery From Substance Abuse. Experiences of 30 Recovered Service Users. Front Psychiatry, 2019. 10: p. 689.DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00689.
23. Andreassen, O., et al., The Effect of High-Intensity Interval/Circuit Training on Cognitive Functioning and Quality of Life During Recovery From Substance Abuse Disorder. A Study Protocol. Front Psychol, 2019. 10: p. 2564.DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02564.
24. Svendsen, T.S., et al., How to Maintain High Retention Rates in Long-Term Research on Addiction: A Case Report. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 2017. 17(4): p. 374-387.DOI: 10.1080/1533256x.2017.1361831.
25. Hagen, E., et al., One-year abstinence improves ADHD symptoms among patients with polysubstance use disorder. Addict Behav Rep, 2017. 6: p. 96-101.DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.08.005.
26. Hagen, E., et al., One-year sobriety improves satisfaction with life, executive functions and psychological distress among patients with polysubstance use disorder. J Subst Abuse Treat, 2017. 76: p. 81-87.DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2017.01.016.
27. Hagen, E., et al., Assessment of Executive Function in Patients With Substance Use Disorder: A Comparison of Inventory- and Performance-Based Assessment. J Subst Abuse Treat, 2016. 66: p. 1-8.DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.02.010.

 

For project site in Norwegian, click here: Stayer-studien (helse-stavanger.no)