The effectiveness of the community reinforcement approach (CRA) in the context of quality of life and happiness among people using drugs

Bibliographic Data

ID22090814
AuthorsMuhammad Talha Khalid (0009-0004-3420-4527, International Islamic University, Islamabad), Muhammad Tahir Khalily (0000-0001-8090-8710, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Tamkeen Saleem (0000-0003-3217-2336, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University), Fahimeh Saeed (0000-0002-0214-3887, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, corresponding author), Sheikh Shoib (0000-0002-3739-706X)
Year2024
Volume12
Pages1229262-1229262
Publication date2024-03-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1229262
PMID38504677
OpenAlexW4392466481
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited24

Introduction The Community Reinforcement Approach is an evidence-based treatment modality for alcohol and drug addiction treatment with proven efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The present study investigated the effectiveness of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) in the context of quality of life among drug addicts. Materials and methods A total of 60 inpatient substance abusers post detoxification in Fountain House, Lahore, Pakistan, participated in this study. Fountain House was selected as the Minnesota model is primarily used there. Therefore, a new treatment approach was introduced to investigate its effectiveness for individuals with substance abuse. A randomized 12-week trial was conducted as a substance use disorders (SUDs) treatment program. Persons with SUD (i.e., identified patients) enrolled in a residential treatment program were randomized into the integrated model of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) and traditional Minnesota model treatment ( n = 30), and traditional Minnesota model treatment only (TMM; n = 30). All the participants in the experimental group attended the group therapy sessions and other activities in the facility in addition to the treatment conditions. The participants attended the individual therapeutic sessions, which were conducted according to the CRA guidelines used in the experimental group. In this study, each individual in the CRA treatment group received 12 one-to-one sessions ranging from 45 min to 1 h. The WHOQOL-BREF scale and Happiness Scale ( 1 ) were used for data collection. Result The results showed a significant increase in the quality of life of participants in the treatment group with CRA compared with the control group with TMM. The findings also indicated that the individuals in the treatment group with CRA had improved levels of happiness compared with individuals with TMM. Discussion The CRA is an effective and adaptable treatment approach that works well in combination with other treatment approaches. The proven efficacy, compatibility, and cost-effectiveness distinguish it from other treatment methods. Implications The CRA should be adapted, assessed, and evaluated further, especially in Pakistan, where there is a pressing need to adopt an effective treatment strategy for addiction problems

Addiction · Happiness · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Randomized controlled trial · Substance abuse · Therapeutic community · Treatment and control groups · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations · Nursing · Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Youth, Drugs, and Violence · Internal Medicine

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access