Addiction Studies Research Proposal
Research questions
1. Do participants who have relapsed regularly attend alcoholics anonymous, substance use disorder individual therapy or substance use disorder group therapy?
2. What did the participant who attended alcoholics anonymous, substance use disorder individual or group therapy learn that assisted in their sobriety?
Introduction
Substance abuse is the use of harmful substances that have a negative effect on an individual. There are many harmful substances including alcohol and illicit drugs. The use of these substances often leads to addiction which makes it difficult for a person to function normally. Individuals go through rehabilitation and they are able to overcome the addiction which they have developed. Rehabilitation includes attending alcohol anonymous (AA), 12-step therapy, SUDs individual therapy and/or SUD group therapy. However, there are those who relapse after they have successfully gone through the rehabilitation process. The steps taken after a relapse are important in determining the way forward for the substance abuse victim.
Addicts of substance abuse that have recovered have are more vulnerable to being addicted again. There are measures which have to be taken to ensure that one does not relapse. Among the leading approaches I to avoid friends and places which might trigger the relapse. Additionally, the recovered addict should have a clear plan on relapse-prevention and having an accountability partner to help one be in check. An example of this is the sponsor in the AA program. Once the therapy has ended, it is advisable to attend on a regular basis and have the much needed reinforcement. However, since there is an increased susceptibility to relapsing, there are those who fall back to the substance abuse. Utilizing the therapy that was initially used can lead to successful rehabilitation. However, there are other instances where other approaches need to be utilized for the rehabilitation process.
The research aims at exploring the dynamics involved when substance abuse addicts make efforts to stop being addicted to drugs. The research aims at understanding whether therapeutic organizations such as alcoholic anonymous and substance use therapy centers assist the substance abuse addicts in maintaining their sobriety.
Justification
Self-help groups (SHGs), such as Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-Step, Individual SUDs therapy or Group SUDs therapy are considered particularly important components of care for patients who have been diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs). The purpose of this research proposal is to identify whether individuals with SUDs who participate in SHGs experience better outcomes than do individuals who do not participate in these groups. If the individual participates in the SHGs, what is it about the program that assists in their sobriety
Methodology
The explorative research will take place in 2021. The participants will include adults of 18 years and above from both sexes and all races with a sample size of at least 50 participants. The sample will be drawn from individuals who are participating or have participated in SHGs such as alcoholics anonymous, 12-step therapy, SUD individual therapy, or SUD group therapy. Questionnaires will be used in the data collection and they will be delivered in person. Consultation will be done with the participants to determine the appropriate time when the questionnaires can be delivered in person. Scheduling will be done to ensure that there is no clash between two participants and to ensure that there is ample time for each of the participants to answer the questions. As compensation for their participation in the study, the participants will be offered a Walmart gift card and an appreciation note upon the completion of the questionnaire.
Approval to carry out the research will be obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Quantitative data will be collected using the treatment effectiveness Assessment (TEA) (Ling, Farabee, Liepa & Wu, 2012). There are 4 question in the TEA dealing with substance abuse, health, lifestyle, and community. The scale is from 1 to 10 with 1 being poor and 10 being much better. The TEA is aimed at analyzing the progress that the substance abuse addict has made since they started attending the therapy sessions.
The measurements of demographics will be gender, race/ ethnicity, and age. The participants will have an option not to answer these questions. The extent of substance abuse will be measured by the quantity and frequency of abusing the drugs. The therapy session attended will also be documented plus the frequency and the duration which the addict has been attending them. Data to specify whether the addict is still undergoing therapy or he stopped will also be provided.
Before filling the questionnaires, the participants will be provided with a consent form which shows that they are agreeing to participate in the study and are aware of all the factors involved. The questionnaires will be anonymous and instead of using the names of the participants, codes will be used to identify them. Consent form will be at the top followed by the survey questions and the questionnaire. They will be numbered to ensure that the participants complete all the forms and questions.
References
Ling, W., Farabee, D., Liepa, D., & Wu, L. T. (2012). The Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA): an efficient, patient-centered instrument for evaluating progress in recovery from addiction. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 3, 129.