Kontakt X:X | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2026.005

Substance abuse in occupational therapy: a questionnaire survey among Czech occupational therapistsSocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Lenka Hormandlová^{1, 2, *}, Petra Sládková ORCID...^{1, 2, 3}

¹ Faculty Hospital Bulovka, Rehabilitation Clinic Faculty Hospital Bulovka and Faculty of Biomedical Engineering CTU, Prague, Czech Republic

² Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital Prague, Department of Addictology, Prague, Czech Republic

³ University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Faculty of Health Studies, Pilsen, Czech Republic

The aim of the study was to map the awareness, attitudes, and experiences of occupational therapists in the Czech Republic regarding substance abuse among clients/patients in occupational therapy. The research focused on the frequency of contact with these clients, the impact on therapy, the availability of professional education in this area, and attitudes towards prevention and interventions. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation. Data were collected through an online questionnaire created by the authors, distributed among members of the Czech Association of Occupational Therapists (CAE) and disseminated through social networks. The questionnaire contained both closed and open questions focused on the empirical experience of the respondents. The research group consisted of 42 occupational therapists working in various areas of practice in the Czech Republic. A total of 81% of the respondents stated that they had encountered clients using addictive substances. The use of these substances negatively affects the functional state of the clients and the therapeutic process itself. More than 69% of the respondents stated that they did not have an addiction specialist available in their area. Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial but often limited. The results may contribute to the adjustment of educational programs and the development of occupational therapy practice, especially in the area of working with clients/patients engaged in risky substance use.

Keywords: Multidisciplinary approach; Occupational therapist education; Occupational therapy; Quality of life; Risk behavior; Substance abuse

Grants and funding:

This study/contribution was created within the framework of Specific University Research project no. 260-758.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: September 5, 2025; Revised: December 23, 2025; Accepted: January 21, 2026; Prepublished online: January 23, 2026