7 slide PPT

2

Benchmark Research Proposal

Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies,

Author Note,

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to

Email to:

Literature Review

Addiction recovery is one of the greatest issues in counseling clients. Moreover, the issue is even more complicated when the client experiences an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and has a mental condition as well. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients, according to research have poorer recovery outcomes compared to others. This is where the individual is also affected by a mental disorder. This can be a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Marel et al. 2019). Clients who have comorbidities will tend to relapse frequently. They also struggle to remain in treatment and stay abstinent in general. In this respect, the optimal manner of facilitating recovery among this population is an important clinical problem.

Formal treatment should be supplemented with such support groups as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery. These are groups that are classified as peer recovery support groups. Developed in the 1930s, Alcoholics Anonymous presents a 12-step model that has spiritual foundations, which involves surrender to a superior power, friendship and further peer support. Various researchers indicate that AA attendance results in the production of better abstinence results, enhanced psychosocial functions, and lower chances of relapse (Kelly et al., 2020). The spiritual orientation and low-structure approach will not suit everyone, particularly the secular, or those who seek evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral approaches.

SMART Recovery is a newer method capable of addressing this issue although it’s not faith-based. It trains the clients on self-management skills to deal with cravings and avoid relapse. It is founded on CBT and motivational therapy. With self-empowerment, independence, and realistic plans, SMART empowers human beings to transform their lifestyle. Kelly et al. (2023) demonstrated that SMART Recovery members can be psychosocially more stable at the entry of the treatment compared to AA members. This may be an indication of self-selection. The differences between the two programs in terms of their philosophy, structure, and appeal are therefore likely to produce different outcomes in the clients with comorbid psychiatric disorders although the peer support provided is similar.

There is a literature gap on this issue as the past literature has narrowed generalization due to the past findings. This is according to Kelly et al. (2023) who used a sample selected in Boston and San Diego. Consequently, there was doubt of whether the results can be extrapolated both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the greater part of data collection was during the COVID-19 pandemic that might have affected the attendance, the access to meetings, and the psychological needs of participants. Additional longitudinal trials will allow scientists to find out whether the impact of AA and SMART Recovery is lasting in the long run and in various groups, in particular, deviated sub-groups.

Simply, the literature determines the significance of peer recovery programs in treatment among AUD clients, but fails to explain how they compare among clients with mental disorders. This paper will fill this gap by investigating long-term abstinence rates of individuals who attended AA, SMART Recovery or both and those with comorbid diagnoses. The study recommendations will make their contribution to the counseling profession by enlightening the program units and formulating recovery approaches depending on the needs of the clients.

Method

How does peer recovery support treatment (e.g., SMART Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)) of alcohol use disorder (AUD)-patients with co-morbidity mental disorders achieve long-term abstinence outcome? The significance of this question is that it directly talks about an underserved clinical group, and appraises commonly accessible interventions that counselors frequently prescribe. The study will adopt a type of quasi-experimental longitudinal design. The participants will be selected in diverse regions of the U.S., such as urban and rural areas. The kind of peer recovery support program will be varied (e.g., SMART Recovery, AA, both or none). Dependent variables will be:

1. Rates of sustained abstinence over 12–24 months, measured by participant self-report and verified through periodic breathalyzer or toxicology screenings.

2. Severity of relapse, which is measured in terms of the frequency and intensity of drinking, after initial abstinence.

3. Quality of life measures, measured with validated measures, including WHO Quality of Life-BREF scale.

Participants will include adults between 21 and 65 years who have an alcohol use disorder with at least one comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Participants will be recruited through the use of treatment centers, community outreach and referrals through the program. The data will be gathered at the baseline and then 12 and 24 months. The quantitative and qualitative data collection will be carried out using structured interviews and clinical records. The instruments whose Cronbach alpha is greater than 80 will be chosen. Repeated measures ANOVA will be used in the study to compare groups in terms of abstinence and quality of life outcomes across time. Regression models will also be used to investigate how the moderating effects of types and severity of comorbidity influence outcomes. Qualitative data that will be collected in the form of interviews will be analyzed through thematic analysis.

Integration

This study has a significant impact on the counseling profession. It ensues counselors are better equipped to provide evidence-based recommendations to clients with comorbid disorders. On the contrary, when both programs are applicable, the clients could be given an option on which of the programs is better aligned to their values, culture, and treatment goals. Equally, knowledge of the obstacles to participation like socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, or stigmatization associated with certain program philosophies will assist the counselors in suggesting a client to a better alternative.

The theological ideas of restoration, healing and community support are the basis of this research proposal. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the need to assist one another, and bear burdens of others. An example of this can be found in Galatians 6:2 that states: by bearing one another burdens, in this manner shall ye fulfil the law of Christ. This principle is implemented by the provision of peer-based recovery programs, such as spiritually based programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and secular-based programs, such as SMART Recovery, where collective accountability and learning collectively are used. Such places help people to gather together and exchange experiences of hardships and support one another. The ultimate aim of the two programs is to ensure sobriety, which is assisting members in the process of their recovery.

This research will help in developing a comprehensive model of care including biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors of the counseling profession by increasing their knowledge of effective interventions of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their comorbidities. The findings can be utilized to illuminate the biblical worth of the care and inclusion whereby recovery support is provided to all regardless of cultural, belief, or socioeconomic orientation.

References

Kelly, J. F., Fallah-Sohy, N., Cristello, J., Stout, R. L., Jason, L. A., Hoeppner, B. B., Bergman, B. G. & White, W. L. (2023). Who affiliates with SMART Recovery? Involves comparing people who go to SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, both, or neither. Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, 47(10), 1939. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.15164.

Keith, J. F., Humphries, K., and Perry, M. (2020). Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous help people who drink too much. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3(3), CD012880. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2.

Marel, C., Mills, K. L., Teesson, M., et al. (2019). Relapse to alcohol use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of conditional probabilities. Addiction, 114(12), 2070–2082. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14727.

COUC 515

Video Discussion: Present Your Research Assignment Instructions

You will complete one Video Discussion in this course. For this Video Discussion, you will share your completed research proposal in the format of a PowerPoint presentation with your classmates. You will create a narrated PowerPoint that includes each major point of your presentation and use it as a presentation template. Refer to this week’s Read and Watch materials before you prepare your presentation. The proposal narrated PowerPoint presentation must use Liberty sponsored slides for the entire PPT and include the following major points:

1) Overview literature review (this is where you will present your argument for the need to fill the gap)

2) Research questions

3) The study design chosen and why

4) Integration

You must provide your abstract and presentation in the body of your first post. Your presentation must be concise yet thorough with highlighting the four points above in a narrated PowerPoint in video format. Please do not use YouTube to record your presentations, as these are not compliant with privacy. You may follow the prompts in the Discussion Resources to use Kaltura or record directly into Canvas.

You must post your initial thread with the uploaded narrated PowerPoint by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of the assigned Module: Week. You must then post 2 video replies of 2 – 3 minutes by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned Module: Week. For the first thread, you must support your assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in current APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years.

**Please keep in mind that you will be graded on your presentation skills and presentation. Any specific feedback on the proposal’s design will be given on the Benchmark Research Proposal Assignment.

COUC 515

Video Discussion: Present Your Research Assignment Instructions

You will complete one Video Discussion in this course. For this Video Discussion, you will share your completed research proposal in the format of a PowerPoint presentation with your classmates. You will create a narrated PowerPoint that includes each major point of your presentation and use it as a presentation template. Refer to this week’s Read and Watch materials before you prepare your presentation. The proposal narrated PowerPoint presentation must use Liberty sponsored slides for the entire PPT and include the following major points:

1) Overview literature review (this is where you will present your argument for the need to fill the gap)

2) Research questions

3) The study design chosen and why

4) Integration

You must provide your abstract and presentation in the body of your first post. Your presentation must be concise yet thorough with highlighting the four points above in a narrated PowerPoint in video format. Please do not use YouTube to record your presentations, as these are not compliant with privacy. You may follow the prompts in the Discussion Resources to use Kaltura or record directly into Canvas.

You must post your initial thread with the uploaded narrated PowerPoint by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of the assigned Module: Week. You must then post 2 video replies of 2 – 3 minutes by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned Module: Week. For the first thread, you must support your assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in current APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years.

**Please keep in mind that you will be graded on your presentation skills and presentation. Any specific feedback on the proposal’s design will be given on the Benchmark Research Proposal Assignment.

2

Benchmark Research Proposal

Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies,

Author Note,

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to

Email to:

Literature Review

Addiction recovery is one of the greatest issues in counseling clients. Moreover, the issue is even more complicated when the client experiences an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and has a mental condition as well. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients, according to research have poorer recovery outcomes compared to others. This is where the individual is also affected by a mental disorder. This can be a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Marel et al. 2019). Clients who have comorbidities will tend to relapse frequently. They also struggle to remain in treatment and stay abstinent in general. In this respect, the optimal manner of facilitating recovery among this population is an important clinical problem.

Formal treatment should be supplemented with such support groups as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery. These are groups that are classified as peer recovery support groups. Developed in the 1930s, Alcoholics Anonymous presents a 12-step model that has spiritual foundations, which involves surrender to a superior power, friendship and further peer support. Various researchers indicate that AA attendance results in the production of better abstinence results, enhanced psychosocial functions, and lower chances of relapse (Kelly et al., 2020). The spiritual orientation and low-structure approach will not suit everyone, particularly the secular, or those who seek evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral approaches.

SMART Recovery is a newer method capable of addressing this issue although it’s not faith-based. It trains the clients on self-management skills to deal with cravings and avoid relapse. It is founded on CBT and motivational therapy. With self-empowerment, independence, and realistic plans, SMART empowers human beings to transform their lifestyle. Kelly et al. (2023) demonstrated that SMART Recovery members can be psychosocially more stable at the entry of the treatment compared to AA members. This may be an indication of self-selection. The differences between the two programs in terms of their philosophy, structure, and appeal are therefore likely to produce different outcomes in the clients with comorbid psychiatric disorders although the peer support provided is similar.

There is a literature gap on this issue as the past literature has narrowed generalization due to the past findings. This is according to Kelly et al. (2023) who used a sample selected in Boston and San Diego. Consequently, there was doubt of whether the results can be extrapolated both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the greater part of data collection was during the COVID-19 pandemic that might have affected the attendance, the access to meetings, and the psychological needs of participants. Additional longitudinal trials will allow scientists to find out whether the impact of AA and SMART Recovery is lasting in the long run and in various groups, in particular, deviated sub-groups.

Simply, the literature determines the significance of peer recovery programs in treatment among AUD clients, but fails to explain how they compare among clients with mental disorders. This paper will fill this gap by investigating long-term abstinence rates of individuals who attended AA, SMART Recovery or both and those with comorbid diagnoses. The study recommendations will make their contribution to the counseling profession by enlightening the program units and formulating recovery approaches depending on the needs of the clients.

Method

How does peer recovery support treatment (e.g., SMART Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)) of alcohol use disorder (AUD)-patients with co-morbidity mental disorders achieve long-term abstinence outcome? The significance of this question is that it directly talks about an underserved clinical group, and appraises commonly accessible interventions that counselors frequently prescribe. The study will adopt a type of quasi-experimental longitudinal design. The participants will be selected in diverse regions of the U.S., such as urban and rural areas. The kind of peer recovery support program will be varied (e.g., SMART Recovery, AA, both or none). Dependent variables will be:

1. Rates of sustained abstinence over 12–24 months, measured by participant self-report and verified through periodic breathalyzer or toxicology screenings.

2. Severity of relapse, which is measured in terms of the frequency and intensity of drinking, after initial abstinence.

3. Quality of life measures, measured with validated measures, including WHO Quality of Life-BREF scale.

Participants will include adults between 21 and 65 years who have an alcohol use disorder with at least one comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Participants will be recruited through the use of treatment centers, community outreach and referrals through the program. The data will be gathered at the baseline and then 12 and 24 months. The quantitative and qualitative data collection will be carried out using structured interviews and clinical records. The instruments whose Cronbach alpha is greater than 80 will be chosen. Repeated measures ANOVA will be used in the study to compare groups in terms of abstinence and quality of life outcomes across time. Regression models will also be used to investigate how the moderating effects of types and severity of comorbidity influence outcomes. Qualitative data that will be collected in the form of interviews will be analyzed through thematic analysis.

Integration

This study has a significant impact on the counseling profession. It ensues counselors are better equipped to provide evidence-based recommendations to clients with comorbid disorders. On the contrary, when both programs are applicable, the clients could be given an option on which of the programs is better aligned to their values, culture, and treatment goals. Equally, knowledge of the obstacles to participation like socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, or stigmatization associated with certain program philosophies will assist the counselors in suggesting a client to a better alternative.

The theological ideas of restoration, healing and community support are the basis of this research proposal. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the need to assist one another, and bear burdens of others. An example of this can be found in Galatians 6:2 that states: by bearing one another burdens, in this manner shall ye fulfil the law of Christ. This principle is implemented by the provision of peer-based recovery programs, such as spiritually based programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and secular-based programs, such as SMART Recovery, where collective accountability and learning collectively are used. Such places help people to gather together and exchange experiences of hardships and support one another. The ultimate aim of the two programs is to ensure sobriety, which is assisting members in the process of their recovery.

This research will help in developing a comprehensive model of care including biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors of the counseling profession by increasing their knowledge of effective interventions of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their comorbidities. The findings can be utilized to illuminate the biblical worth of the care and inclusion whereby recovery support is provided to all regardless of cultural, belief, or socioeconomic orientation.

References

Kelly, J. F., Fallah-Sohy, N., Cristello, J., Stout, R. L., Jason, L. A., Hoeppner, B. B., Bergman, B. G. & White, W. L. (2023). Who affiliates with SMART Recovery? Involves comparing people who go to SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, both, or neither. Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, 47(10), 1939. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.15164.

Keith, J. F., Humphries, K., and Perry, M. (2020). Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous help people who drink too much. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3(3), CD012880. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2.

Marel, C., Mills, K. L., Teesson, M., et al. (2019). Relapse to alcohol use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of conditional probabilities. Addiction, 114(12), 2070–2082. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14727.