Community-based seamlessly connected treatment model for drug abuse

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of community-based psychosocial integrated approach on psychosocial rehabilitation and relapse prevention of heroin addicts in community,to set up“seamless connection”mechanisms between the drug treatment facilities and communities and to explore a comprehensive rehabilitation model that is adaptive to Chinese culture. Methods 210 heroin addicts in community received a 24-month psychosocial integrated intervention.Their abstinence rates and psychosocial functions were assessed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and Self-reporting Inventory (SCL-90) before and after intervention,respectively. Results The psychosocial integrated intervention significantly improved heroin addicts′physical health,occupational functioning,family relationships and mental health,and to reduce alcohol use,criminal activity (P<0.01),significantly improved the employment rates (50.8% vs.22.4%),and to reduce criminal activity rates (1.6% vs.6.2%) and the proportion of positive urine tests (34.6% vs.61.4%) (P<0.01),significantly improved the ten dimensions of psychological symptoms (P<0.01). Conclusions The integrated treatment using‘seamless connection’mechanism reduces relapse and drug use related problems and increases the wellbeing in the individuals with drug dependence recovering in the community. Key words: Community mental health services; Intervention studies; Heroin dependence; Seamless connection model development