Dog Ownership for People With Substance Use Disorder: Self-Reported Influence on Mental Health and Substance Use

Abstract

Background: Dog ownership is reported to influence the everyday life for people with substance use disorder (SUD) such that they report feeling more connected socially with a sense of belonging and structure within their day. Yet how dog ownership affects their substance use specifically, has received little research. The aim of this study was to explore how people with SUD perceived that dog ownership affected their use of substances.Method: Qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight people with experience of dog ownership and SUD. Data were gathered and analysed using a 4-step qualitative content analysis.Results: Three categories of perceived effects emerged from the analysis. Firstly, participants became more conscious of their substance use, managing, planning or stopping use altogether. Secondly, the relationship with their dog helped the participants in their mental wellbeing and in their perception of themselves. Thirdly, the influence was valued precisely because it came from the dog and not another human.Discussion: Dog ownership helped the participants move away from habitual patterns around substance use and promoted a considered, less harmful approach to their use. The participants were able to experience a positive sense of themselves where they steadied their mental health and saw themselves as important. These findings add to the current research illuminating the unique influence a dog can have for someone with SUD.