Group intervention for coexisting psychosis and substance use disorders in rural Australia: Outcomes over 3 years

TitleGroup intervention for coexisting psychosis and substance use disorders in rural Australia: Outcomes over 3 years
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsBradley, AC, Baker, A, Lewin, TJ
JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Volume41
Pagination501-508
PublisherInforma Healthcare
Place PublishedUS
Publication Languageeng
ISBN Number0004-86741440-1614
Accession Number2008-12702-005. First Author & Affiliation: Bradley, Adrian C.
Keywordscognitive behavior therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Drug abuse, group intervention, Group Psychotherapy, Intervention, motivational interviewing, outpatient group intervention, Outpatients, psychosis, rural Australia, Rural Environments, Substance use disorders
Abstract

Objective: Outpatient group interventions have been shown to be efficacious in reducing substance use among people with psychosis. This is the first Australian study to report on the effectiveness of such interventions provided in a rural area by mental health and drug and alcohol clinicians, with follow up over 3 years. The primary aim was to investigate whether an open-ended weekly outpatient group intervention, consisting of motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), was effective in reducing substance use and improving symptomatology and general functioning among people with psychosis. Method: This was a service evaluation project, with clinician-administered ratings made for four retrospective 3 monthly baseline observations and up to 12 3 monthly post-recruitment observations. Results: Thirty-nine participants entered the group intervention, with an average attendance of 28.51 sessions (SD = 24.61). Compared to a baseline period of 1 year, the group intervention was associated with significant improvements in substance use, symptomatology, treatment non-compliance, overall functioning and unscheduled service use. A median split according to treatment group attendance indicated that there was no difference in improvement profiles on a factor reflecting overall severity among those who attended fewer (mean = 10.63) versus more sessions (mean = 45.50), but there was a sharper reduction in the use of acute mental health services among those who attended more sessions. Conclusions: Significant change in functioning (including substance use and symptomatology) can occur within the context of a regular but relatively short outpatient group intervention, delivered in addition to usual treatment. However, extended group attendance over a 1 year period may be further associated with prevention of relapse and less unscheduled service use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

URLhttp://libproxy.unm.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2008-12702-005&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=siteAmanda.Baker@newcastle.edu.auhttp://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00048670701332300
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