The purpose of this research study was to determine the effects of Fostering Resilience™ (FR), a new integrative relapse prevention group protocol for improving relapse risk, internalized shame, and psychological well-being in adults with substance use disorders (SUD). This study also sought to identify any relationship among relapse risk, internalized shame, and psychological well-being. It is the first study to investigate the new FR manualized program model compared to treatment as usual (TAU). The FR model was created based upon direct client experience, the supposition of the intrinsic role shame plays in SUD, and the corresponding belief in the essential value of implementing shame reduction techniques for improving treatment outcomes. Participants were 43 adults with SUD (19 FR and 24 TAU) seeking outpatient treatment. All participants received the 8-week intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, with the FR group receiving 16 sessions of the manualized FR relapse prevention group protocol in lieu of other TAU group options. Assessments were administered pre and postintervention. Results indicated that the FR treatment group produced a significant reduction in relapse risk (p = .002, ES = .825), shame (p = .004, ES = .763), and psychological wellbeing (p = .008, ES = .679) from baseline to post-intervention, while the TAU comparison group produced a non-significant improvement in relapse risk (p = .209, ES = .264), shame (p = 055, ES = .409) and psychological well-being (p = .088, ES = .456). Correlation results indicated highly significant correlations between all the dependent variables. All correlations dropped post-intervention, although remained significant. The strongest relationship was found between shame and relapse risk at baseline: ALL (n = 43, r = .880), FR (n = 19, r = .869), TAU (n = 24, r = .908). This preliminary study establishes support for the new FR model as a beneficial treatment for significantly improving relapse risk, internalized shame, and psychological well-being in adults with SUD. It also provides important knowledge and insight regarding the critical nature of shame and its role relative to relapse risk and psychological well-being in those with SUD. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

M.A. / The treatment of substance abuse remains a challenging process with relapse an ever-present risk. For those offering treatment within this field, such as the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA), it is of cardinal importance to evaluate the outcomes of their interventions. Currently, there is no quantifiable and standardised method that SANCA can use to establish and assess how the actual outcomes of their programmes compare to their intended programme goals. Kranz and O’Hare (2006) argue for the evaluation of substance abuse treatment programmes through the use of scales to quantify various aspects of the treatment process which can then serve as a measure of its effectiveness. Effectiveness in this instance refers broadly to a patient’s maintenance of his/her sobriety for a period of 12 months or more, combined with an increase in his/her general functioning. Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate the technically complex process of developing a content valid framework for a scale on behalf of SANCA that adheres to their requirements for programme evaluation. The study is guided by an adapted model of ecometric scale development presented schematically by Faul and Hudson (1999). Through the use of a grounded theory approach, the study shows how to identify the expectations for a scale in the organisation and organise SANCA’s treatment strategy into a framework within which the areas of measurement can be placed. The study then demonstrates the construction of operational assessment areas through empirical data collection that adequately reflects such expectations. It also serves to test for content validity of the assessment areas, through the application of domain sampling theory. The study reveals the process undertaken to convert those assessment areas into constructs by conceptualising and operationalising them into working definitions. Lastly, drawing on those defined constructs, it populates a series of exemplar items designed for illustrative purposes.

M.A. / Dependency affects the family as a whole and forms part of the transactional patterns that regulates the behaviour of the family members. Seeing that the family and dependent person has a mutual effect on each other relapse prevention is also influenced by the family system. Therefore it is essential that social work intervention with the chemical dependant person focuses on the family as a whole. Relapses seems to be a factor that needs to be taken in to account in the field of chemical dependency because of the very high relapse rates. The dependant behaviour is altered through the anticipation and management of relapses. Through viewing relapse prevention from the systemic context the family system as a whole can be focused on relapse prevention and not just the individual. This study aimed at exploring the role of the family in relapse prevention, thus identifying family factors which are of importance in relapse prevention of the chemical dependent person. A Qualitative research methodology was utilised to explore the diverse experiences of families regarding relapse prevention. The focus of this research is therefore on the family processes through which families create, maintain and discuss their own reality thus was family context, interaction and dynamics studied. The theoretical basis for the intervention with the chemical dependant person is established in the discussion of the relapse prevention model as well as the general systems theory. From this theoretical basis a work protocol was compiled to which data that was gathered and analysed. For the aim of this study a nonpiobability purposive sample was used in the compiling of the two focus groups. The focus groups lend itself to interviewing with small groups where the respondents explore their own reality. The data was gathered by means of field notes and audio tapes which were transcribed. Analysis of data was.done according to schedules and these schedules were compiled according to the literature. The schedules were divided in to the family and relapse prevention categories. Coding was done by the researcher and a co-coder in order to compare the results. In the coding process the researcher and co-coder utilised the schedules to code the transcribed audio tapes and field notes. The information gleaned form the data gathering and analysis was used to identify central themes. These themes were offered as results. The results obtained were compared to relevant literature in order to further the reliability of the research. The reliability of the study was examined in the light of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. From the study methodological and theoretical conclusions could be drawn. The methodological conclusions have to do with the method of research which was utilised in this study. Regarding the contextual aims and context of the empirical study certain theoretical conclusions were drawn. The results and conclusions indicated certain family factors that play a role in relapse prevention in the family system. Recommendations were offered on the basis of the study and the conclusions drawn. The methodology and context of the empirical study directs the recomMendations drawn thus ensuring the practice orientation of the results and the connection of the results to the goal of this study. This, research indicates that the family plays an important role in relapse prevention of the chemical dependant person as well as the value of the application of the relapse prevention model with a systemic application in the social work intervention with the chemical dependant person.