Christine Timko1, Fernanda S Rossi2, Kathleen M Grant3, Mai Chee Lor4, Michael A Cucciare5. 1. Center for Innovation to Implementation, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. Electronic address: ctimko@stanford.edu. 2. Center for Innovation to Implementation, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA; Center for Health Policy/Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. Electronic address: fsrossi@stanford.edu. 3. Mental Health and Behavioral Science Department, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, 68105, USA; Pulmonary Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile Streets, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. Electronic address: Kathleen.grant2@va.gov. 4. Center for Innovation to Implementation, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA. 5. Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA; Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA. Electronic address: MACucciare@uams.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study of dyads composed of patients in treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and their Concerned Others (COs) examined (1) COs' attendance at three types of help (educational sessions, treatment sessions with the patient, and treatment sessions without the patient) during a 3-month period after patients' admission, and (2) whether COs' use of help was associated with better treatment outcomes reported by COs about patients, and patients about themselves. METHODS: Dyads (n = 277) were assessed when patients entered AUD treatment and 3 months later (80 %). COs rated their patient's AUD, and patients rated their own AUD, on the Brief Addiction Monitor. At 3-month follow-up, COs answered three items about help (education, treatment with patient, treatment without patient) from their patient's treatment program. Main analyses were analyses of covariance to examine associations between COs' help use and patients' outcomes. RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, COs who had obtained one type of help were significantly more likely to have also obtained the other two types of help. However, relatively few COs (39 %) obtained any type of help. COs who obtained help rated their patient as having more protection against future substance use. And, when COs had obtained help, patients rated themselves as having less risk of future substance use, and had attended a greater number of AA meetings, than when COs had not obtained help. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that COs' use of help can benefit patients in AUD treatment. Clinicians and researchers should increase the availability and use of help among COs. Published by Elsevier B.V.
BACKGROUND: This study of dyads composed of patients in treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and their Concerned Others (COs) examined (1) COs' attendance at three types of help (educational sessions, treatment sessions with the patient, and treatment sessions without the patient) during a 3-month period after patients' admission, and (2) whether COs' use of help was associated with better treatment outcomes reported by COs about patients, and patients about themselves. METHODS: Dyads (n = 277) were assessed when patients entered AUD treatment and 3 months later (80 %). COs rated their patient's AUD, and patients rated their own AUD, on the Brief Addiction Monitor. At 3-month follow-up, COs answered three items about help (education, treatment with patient, treatment without patient) from their patient's treatment program. Main analyses were analyses of covariance to examine associations between COs' help use and patients' outcomes. RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, COs who had obtained one type of help were significantly more likely to have also obtained the other two types of help. However, relatively few COs (39 %) obtained any type of help. COs who obtained help rated their patient as having more protection against future substance use. And, when COs had obtained help, patients rated themselves as having less risk of future substance use, and had attended a greater number of AA meetings, than when COs had not obtained help. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that COs' use of help can benefit patients in AUD treatment. Clinicians and researchers should increase the availability and use of help among COs. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alcohol use disorders; Concerned others; Help utilization; Treatment
Authors: John S Cacciola; Arthur I Alterman; Dominick Dephilippis; Michelle L Drapkin; Charles Valadez; Natalie C Fala; David Oslin; James R McKay Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2012-08-14
Authors: Ruth McGovern; Debbie Smart; Hayley Alderson; Vera Araújo-Soares; Jamie Brown; Penny Buykx; Vivienne Evans; Kate Fleming; Matt Hickman; John Macleod; Petra Meier; Eileen Kaner Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-12 Impact factor: 4.614