12-Month follow-up after brief interventions in primary care for family members affected by the substance misuse problem of a close relative

Abstract

Following the publication of initial and 3-month data from a prospective cluster randomised comparative trial [Copello, A., Templeton, L., Orford, J., Velleman, R., Patel, A., Moore, L., … , Godfrey, C. (2009). The relative efficacy of two levels of a primary care intervention for family members affected by the addiction problem of a close relative: A randomised trial. Addiction, 104, 49–58.], an opportunistic 12-month follow-up was undertaken. The trial compared two brief interventions for use by primary health care professionals with family members (FMs) affected by the problematic substance use of a close relative. Ninety out of 143 (63%) FMs in the trial were followed up at 12 months. Three validated self-completion questionnaires were re-administered: Symptom Rating Test, Coping Questionnaire and Family Member Impact Scale. At 12 months there were still no significant differences between FMs depending on which of the two brief interventions received. The initial improvements at 12 weeks on all of the measures (symptoms, coping and impact) were maintained, and further improved (FMs reported that their symptoms, their coping behaviours and the impact on them of their relatives’ substance misuse problem all continued to reduce). These improvements were unrelated to a range of demographic variables. FMs also reported a gradual improvement in their relatives’ misusing behaviour over the three time periods. In conclusion, following a brief intervention for affected FMs, either delivered in full via professional intervention or via a self-help manual following a brief introduction from a professional, both groups improve equally; there are significant and positive changes which are both maintained and further increased over a 12-month period, without any further formal delivery of the intervention.