Getting reluctant substance abusers to engage in treatment/self-help: a review of outcomes and clinical options

J Marital Fam Ther. 2004 Apr;30(2):165-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2004.tb01232.x.

Abstract

This review examines the results from 19 outcome studies, involving 1,501 cases, within 10 different clinical approaches to getting alcohol or drug abusers to engage in treatment or self-help. Each approach is summarized and its "success rate(s)" presented. Comparisons are made across various subcategories, such as alcohol vs. drug abusers, adolescents vs. adults, and experimental conditions vs. controls. A distinction is drawn between "Dual-Purpose" approaches, which combine engagement with counseling of the concerned person who originally sought help for the substance abuser, and "Engagement-Primary" approaches, which generally confine their efforts (through working with family members and others) to getting the substance abuser into treatment/self-help. "Best bet" clinical options are presented in terms of which particular approach appears to have the edge with which kind of substance abuser.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Clinical Competence / standards*
  • Crisis Intervention / methods
  • Family Therapy* / methods
  • Family Therapy* / standards
  • Humans
  • Marital Therapy* / methods
  • Marital Therapy* / standards
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Research Design
  • Self-Help Groups / standards*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • United States