The Better Life Program: Effects of group skills training for persons with severe mental illness and substance use disorders

Abstract

Objectives: Despite the widespread use of group interventions for treating dual disorders, few standardized programs have been empirically validated. This study evaluated a manualized group skills training intervention for clients with dual disorders, the Better Life Program, in order to determine its feasibility and changes in substance abuse and mental health outcomes.Method: Patients with dual disorders at nine centres in Norway participated in a pilot study using a within-subjects pre- and post test design. The program required an average of 37 sessions to complete and was provided as a supplement to standard mental health care. The aim of the program is to reduce substance misuse through providing information, motivational enhancement, skills training to develop rewarding relationships, relapse prevention, and establishing healthy leisure activities.Results: Among the 82 patients who began treatment, 63 (83%) completed it. Treatment completers showed significant reductions in substance misuse and improvement in global functioning, but did not change in general symptom distress.Conclusions: This pilot study supports the feasibility of the Better Life Program, and suggests that it may improve substance misuse and mental health outcomes. Further research is warranted to evaluate the effects of this program using controlled research designs.Conflicts of interest: None.