The social and professional reintegration of men with a history of illicit drug use and legal involvement is a gradual and complex process. We conducted ten focus groups with 48 men in a KETHEA therapeutic community and 12 professionals. Thematic analysis showed that (a) reintegration is experienced as a pathway from therapy to training, early work involvement, and ultimately stable employment; (b) the transition from therapy to the labor market is often abrupt and occurs in the absence of institutionally organized bridges, under conditions of stigma, precarious employment, and digital exclusion; and (c) soft skills are consistently described as a core element of therapeutic change, yet standardized processes for their development in treatment and their transfer to workplace practice remain limited. These findings point to the need for institutionally supported and protected pathways to promote sustainable labor market integration.
It is unclear whether individuals in the general population who receive or do not receive help for heavy drinking also report using protective behavioral strategies (PBS). The current study examined the differential use of PBS among help and non-help receivers who reported engagement in heavy drinking as well as the directionality and strength of the association between PBS use and alcohol-related outcomes. The study also examined PBS use as a moderator of the relationship between help-receiver status and alcohol-related outcomes. The sample consisted of 367 adult help and non-help receivers from the community who reported heavy alcohol use in an online survey. Findings from the current study indicated that help and non-help receivers use PBS, that help receivers use statistically more Manner of Drinking (MOD) PBS and total PBS than non-help receivers, and that MOD PBS were negatively associated with drinking quantity. PBS use was also found to be a statistically significant moderator of the relationship between help receiver status and alcohol-related outcomes. The current study's findings elucidate the extent to which help and non-help receivers use different PBS as well as what PBS could be targeted in future interventions.
The college-to-work (C2W) transition presents unique challenges for students in collegiate recovery programs (CRPs), who leave a recovery-rich environment for workplaces that may lack recovery ready support. Using Schlossberg's Transition Theory (STT) and its 4 S Model, this paper conceptualizes how internal and external resources can shape graduates' adaptation to professional roles. Integrating recovery capital (RC) highlights how stigma, disclosure, and workplace culture influence transition outcomes. Implications for CRPs and employers include intentional C2W preparation, recovery ready practices, and strategic support structures. This conceptual paper informs the development of C2W strategies by offering a theoretically grounded framework to guide CRPs in designing intentional strategies that promote successful workforce integration, sustained recovery, and long-term stability.
Risky drinking is a significant public health issue among Indigenous populations in Malaysia. This case series aimed to pilot test a culturally adapted brief motivational interviewing (MI) protocol to address risky drinking among Indigenous individuals. Three adult participants with risky drinking patterns received three sessions of brief MI over 1 month. Outcomes assessed were level of alcohol consumption, readiness to change, motivation, and self-efficacy, and intervention acceptability and appropriateness. Post-intervention, all participants demonstrated reduction in alcohol use, progression to the action stage of change, and increases in motivation and self-efficacy scores. Furthermore, acceptability and appropriateness assessments demonstrated good to very good results. These findings highlight MI as a culturally resonant approach that empowers individuals to define meaningful goals. Although these pilot results are promising, there is a need for larger, controlled studies to validate the intervention's effectiveness in this population.
Mindfulness in Recovery (R) (MIR) is a comprehensive recovery support program that embeds mindfulness in the context of other skills that may be supportive for achieving and sustaining long-term recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). The seven skills of living mindfully emphasized by the MIR program are: attention, values, wisdom, equanimity, compassion, loving-kindness, and action (Bruna, 2018). The purpose of the study was to evaluate changes in these skills among participants (N = 29) in a residential SUD treatment program that integrated MIR with 12-step facilitation therapy. Participants demonstrated a statistically significant increase in an author-created measure of MIR skills (t((28)) = 4.20, p < .001), mindfulness as measured by the Daily Mindful Responding Scale (DMRS;) (t((28)) = 5.17, p < .001) and thriving indicated by the Brief Inventory of Thriving scale (BIT;) (t((28)) = 9.82; p < .001). In addition, participants reported reductions in craving as measured by the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale Revised (OCDS- R;) (t((28)) = 6.60, p < .001). This study takes a key step in establishing MIR, a novel Mindfulness Based Intervention (MBI) as a potentially effective treatment for SUD.
Psychoactive substances influence mood, cognition, and personality, with emerging synthetic drugs presenting new challenges. This study examines the impact of psychoactive drug use on the development of dissociative identity disorder (DID), comparing alcohol and drug abusers. A total of 120 participants (60 alcohol abusers, 60 drug abusers) from Suman Ellen Trust in Bangalore were assessed using standardized psychological instruments, including the Addiction Severity Index, Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule, Drug Abuse Screening Test, and Dissociative Experiences Scale. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating both quantitative (ANOVA, Pearson correlation) and qualitative (thematic analysis) methodologies to analyze dissociative symptoms and substance use patterns. Findings revealed a significant difference in DID prevalence between alcohol and drug abusers (F = 55.88, p < .01), with drug abuse showing a strong positive correlation with dissociative symptoms (r = 0.790, p < .01). The study highlights the need for integrated clinical approaches addressing both substance use disorders and dissociative pathology. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to clarify causal mechanisms and develop targeted intervention strategies.
BackgroundThe Phoenix is a novel alternative to traditional substance use disorder (SUD) mutual-help programs, offering individuals with SUD and co-occurring mental disorders free access to physical activities and social events (e.g. CrossFit, yoga, rock climbing, and meditation). Despite rapid growth, little research has examined its potential role in recovery.MethodsWe conducted five focus meetings: three with Phoenix members (n = 5, 3, 2) and two with instructors (n = 3, 1), totaling N = 14.ResultsParticipants were drawn to The Phoenix's inclusive, supportive community and its emphasis on positivity, safety, and non-judgmental engagement. They highlighted the program's strengths-based, destigmatizing approach, contrasting it with more confrontational models. Reported benefits included building resilience, learning healthier ways of coping with stress and negative affect, enhancing positive emotions, fostering meaning and purpose, and connecting with pro-recovery peers. While instructors and members endorsed similar themes, members emphasized community, connection, and shared purpose as especially impactful.ConclusionsThe Phoenix's unique blend of peer-based community and physical activity creates an engaging, strengths-oriented environment. By promoting connection, resilience, and emotional catharsis, it may help sustain recovery and support long-term remission.
Understanding late-onset alcohol use disorder (AUD) requires examining individuals' life histories and their relationship with alcohol. Few studies, however, have detailed the developmental process of late-onset AUD. This multiple case study explored the life stories and cultural influences of four older Japanese adults diagnosed with late-onset AUD. Life story interviews traced their experiences from childhood to the present. Commonalities emerged regarding early drinking and feelings of existential emptiness, while diverse family relationships and patterns of progression of the disorder were observed. These findings have important implications for developing more effective support strategies for older patients, particularly within Japan's unique drinking culture.
The treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) has historically been delivered in two contrasting formats: medication-centered interventions with minimal psychosocial support or the provision of psychosocial and spiritual support without medication access. Few models exist of high-intensity integration of medication and psychosocial support. Congress 60, a non-governmental organization in Iran, exemplifies one such integrative approach. The present study profiles the history, governance structure, clinical philosophy, and treatment methods of Congress 60 and reviews published research to date on Congress 60. Congress 60 embodies a unique theoretical rationale for time-limited medication support, a novel medicinal maintenance agent, an extended medication tapering process, and an expansive definition of recovery (including smoking cessation) - nested within a vibrant, peer-based, family-focused system of psychosocial and spiritual support. The cumulative experience of Congress 60 could inform future efforts to integrate OUD medications and psychosocial support services.
Mental health issues add complexity to both the suffering and treatment of substance-misuse clients. Understanding which mental health factors impact the likelihood of relapse during substance-use day treatment may inform ways to respond to or reduce relapse in treatment and other negative outcomes. Using clinical-data-mining methodology, we analyzed data from 385 clients at a substance-use treatment center with three different day-treatment locations. Using logistic regression, we found no statistical significance in support of our hypotheses. However, those with increased drug screenings were more likely to have experienced relapse, and there was a significant relationship between treatment location and client relapse. The use of clinical-data-mining methodology contributes to the literature a ground-level perspective wherein unique factors of the client may be more relevant for understanding relapse than their specific mental health-related factors. These findings can give hope that no matter their mental health situation prior to day treatment, people with addiction may have a relatively equal chance of recovery. Future research may do better focusing on treatment factors rather than pretreatment factors when studying relapse.
This is an exploratory qualitative study of healthcare professionals' beliefs about alcohol consumption and their participation in the implementation of an early detection and brief advice program for reducing alcohol consumption. A total of 157 professionals from primary care centers in Mexico City participated in group discussion about alcohol consumption as part of the training process. Three dimensions of beliefs were identified: 1) sociocultural, 2) institutional, and 3) individual beliefs which can hinder the development of these type of programs, so they must be considered when designing and implementing mental health and addiction care programs in primary care centers.
ObjectivesThis study examined the association between alcohol consumption and body mass index (BMI) among young adults (YA) from fragile families in the United States.MethodsData were drawn from Wave 7 of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of BMI at age 22, adjusting for sex, food accessibility, alcohol use in the past 30 days, sleep regularity, sports participation, and anxiety and depression status (assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview - Short Form [CIDI-SF]).ResultsAfter weighting, the analytic sample included 2990 participants (population estimate = 1,089,833). The weighted mean BMI was 26.58 (SD = 6.75). Alcohol intake for three days or more weekly was associated with lower BMI compared with no alcohol intake in the past 30 days (coefficient = -2.05; 95% CI: [-3.87 to -0.22]; p = .028). Female sex (coefficient = 1.68; 95% CI: [0.43 to 2.94]; p = .009) and engaging in sports more than once weekly (coefficient = -1.48; 95% CI: [-2.85 to -0.11]; p = .035) were also significant predictors.ConclusionsHigh alcohol consumption was inversely associated with BMI in young adults from fragile families. These findings underscore the health implications of social instability, particularly regarding alcohol use and low physical activity, in this under-researched population.
