Relationship between duration and type of substance use (alcohol/cocaine) and transdiagnostic processes

This study explores the transdiagnostic model, which aims to explain the processes involved in the etiology and development of comorbid psychopathologies. Key processes include positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), anxiety sensitivity (AS), and experiential avoidance (EA). The study examines the relationships between these processes and substance use, focusing on alcohol and cocaine. Solitary alcohol use and cocaine use during treatment are identified as coping strategies to reduce NA, while PA is linked to alcohol use. AS shows both direct and indirect relationships with alcohol use, and EA is strongly associated with substance use. The study's objectives are to analyze the predictive capacity of transdiagnostic processes regarding the type and duration of substance use. The hypotheses suggest that these processes will significantly predict the type of substance used and the duration of use. A multicenter quasi-experimental design will be employed, with assessments of sociodemographic, neuropsychological, craving, and transdiagnostic processes. The sample will include users from public addiction treatment centers in Huelva, Spain, with stratified random sampling by substance type and gender. Inclusion criteria include initiating treatment for alcohol or cocaine dependency, a diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder, residency in Huelva, and signed informed consent. Exclusion criteria include severe mental disorders, physical or mental conditions preventing study completion, being under 18, opioid use, and legally mandated treatment. Participants will be informed about the study and their voluntary participation, with anonymity ensured through alphanumeric codes.