How concerned significant others experience Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) – a qualitative study

Introduction Heavy drinking causes serious harm, not only to the drinker but also to relationships and concerned significant others (CSOs). Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is an intervention developed to help the CSOs of substance users. The aim of this study was to investigate the drivers and aims underlying CSO participation in CRAFT, as well as their experience of the intervention itself and their module preferences. Method This is a qualitative study based on data from semi-structured interviews with 11 female help-seeking CSOs of individuals with alcohol problems. The participants were recruited from an RCT study of a variety of CRAFT delivery formats (group sessions + written material, individual sessions + written material or self-delivered CRAFT with written material only). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results CSOs reported CRAFT helpful when both delivered by means of individual sessions or group sessions. The “Communication Element” in CRAFT, the module focusing on positive reinforcement and acquiring a clearer understanding of AUD, appeared to be particularly helpful elements of CRAFT. Furthermore, being met with acceptance and non-judgmental attitudes seemed to count highly for the CSOs. The written material a helpful supplement to the face-to-face interventions. The written material a helpful supplement to the face-to-face interventions. Conclusion CSOs who participated in the CRAFT intervention felt helped by its components, irrespective of delivery format.

The effect of gambling problems on the subjective wellbeing of gamblers’ family and friends: Evidence from large-scale population research in Australia and Canada

Background and Aims Excessive time and money spent on gambling can result in harms, not only to people experiencing a gambling problem but also to their close family and friends (“concerned significant others”; CSOs). The current study aimed to explore whether, and to what extent, CSOs experience decrements to their wellbeing due to another person’s gambling. Methods We analysed data from The Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA; N = 19,064) and the Canadian Quinte Longitudinal Study (QLS; N = 3,904). Participants either self-identified as CSOs (QLS) or were identified by living in a household with a person classified in the problem gambling category by the PGSI (HILDA). Subjective well-being was measured using the Personal Wellbeing Index and single-item questions on happiness and satisfaction with life. Results CSOs reported lower subjective wellbeing than non-CSOs across both countries and on all three wellbeing measures. CSO status remained a significant predictor of lower wellbeing after controlling for demographic and socio-economic factors, and own-gambling problems. There were no significant differences across various relationships to the gambler, by gender, or between household and non-household CSOs. Discussion and Conclusions Gambling-related harms experienced by CSOs was reliably associated with a decrease in wellbeing. This decrement to CSO’s wellbeing was not as strong as that experienced by the person with the first-order gambling problem. Nevertheless, wellbeing decrements to CSOs are not limited to those living with a person with gambling problems in the household and thus affect many people.

Reasons for dropping out of internet-based problem gambling treatment, and the process of recovery – a qualitative assessment

Problem gambling (PG) is a condition affecting the economy, mental health, and relationships of both the individuals with gambling problems, and concerned significant others (CSOs). While PG is treatable, few individuals with gambling problems seek treatment, and many drop out of treatment. This qualitative study aims to investigate a) the reasons for individuals with gambling problems to drop-out from Internet-based PG treatment, and b) what individuals with gambling problems and CSOs find helpful and unhelpful processes in PG recovery. A total of 16 participants (8 individuals with gambling problems and 8 CSOs) who had participated in an Internet-based PG treatment were interviewed over the telephone in a semi-structured interview. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Drop-out from treatment was one aspect of an overarching theme identified as unstable path to recovery, where alternating periods of progress and setbacks delineate several aspects of PG. Relapses, negative emotions, and changing life circumstances were identified to separately, and in combination, contribute to drop-out. Drop-outs were also explained by participants’ experiences of a reduced need for treatment. Openness and a support from CSOs and peers were identified as themes important for recovery. The results suggest that PG treatments should consider the emotional state, and comorbidities of the patients, in order to reduce drop-out and improve chances of recovery.

Treatment and help services for gambling during COVID-19: Experiences of gamblers and their concerned significant others

Aims: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many treatment or help services for gambling were closed or moved online. At the same time, closures of gambling opportunities impacted gambling availability and practices. This study investigates gamblers’ and their concerned significant others’ (CSOs) experiences and views on treatment and help services during this exceptional time and perceptions on how to develop services further after the pandemic. Design: Three online questionnaires to elicit gambler and CSO experiences were conducted during the spring 2020 in Finland. In total, 847 respondents answered and shared experiences on how the situation had impacted their gambling behaviour and service needs, how service closures or the moving of services online had impacted them, and how they thought the prevention and treatment of gambling harms should be organised during and after COVID-19. Results: Changed gambling practices reduced overall service needs. Service closures had negative impacts, but online services were considered positively, as these provided a low-threshold option. Respondents also shared insights into how the service provision for gamblers should further be developed during and after COVID-19.

How do concerned significant others experience Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) – a qualitative study.

Introduction: In the last 20 years, there has been growing evidence that heavy drinking causes serious harm, not only to the person who drinks but also to the person’s relations and concerned significant others (CSOs). Several interventions have been developed to help CSOs of persons with substance abuse e.g., Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). The aim of this study was to investigate what the CSOs who participated in a CRAFT intervention aimed for, when they sought help, what they found helpful from the intervention, and which elements of the interventions they utilized. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate how the CSOs managed to apply the components to their life.Method: This is a qualitative study is based on data from 11 interviews with help-seeking CSOs of individuals with alcohol problems. The participants were recruited from an RCT study of various formats for delivering CRAFT (by means of group sessions + written material, individual sessions + written material or self-delivered CRAFT with written material only). Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed. The analysis was based on the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.Results: The results describe how the CSOs experienced the intervention and the format that CRAFT in which was delivered, what they felt they gained, and, lastly, how the CSO experienced that it affected their life after the intervention.Conclusion: CSOs who participated in CRAFT intervention, felt helped by the CRAFT components, regardless of the format through which the intervention was delivered. Written material on CRAFT was considered helpful alongside the interventions and may, even for some, function as a useful intervention, albeit probably not as effective. The “Communication-element” from CRAFT, positive reinforcement, and knowledge about the disorder seemed particularly helpful.

Assessment of Co-occurring Psychiatric Disorders

Co-occurring disorders (CODs) refers to the occurrence of both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a psychiatric disorder, such as mood disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. This chapter reviews the prevalence, patterns, and effects of CODs. Next, the relationships between psychiatric disorders and SUDs, challenges for practitioners, and types and causes of psychiatric disorders are discussed. The chapter continues with the process of conducting a comprehensive and thorough assessment using the format of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The authors also discuss the importance of conveying assessment findings to the client and/or family and concerned significant others, as well as getting the client to accept help.