The effects of family functioning and tangible support from family members are examined in an opiate addicted population. The study specifically assessed drug use, self-efficacy, and quality of life as treatment outcomes of interest. There have been mixed findings in the literature in regards to how families influence rehabilitation from substance use. Specially, previous research has shown that families can further patients’ recovery, while other findings have shown that families can impede patients’ recovery from substance use. The aim of this study was to analyze potentially contributing factors related to the family system, to gain a stronger understanding of how families influence recovery for patients receiving treatment for their opiate addiction. The study included 110 participants who were patients from a medically assisted recovery facility. The participants took survey measures regarding beliefs about their self-efficacy, quality of life, family functioning, and tangible support received from family members. The participant’s drug use information was verified through facility databases of current urine screens and prescription use. Survey results did not substantiate the hypotheses that tangible support influences treatment outcomes. However, hypotheses that family functioning would positively influence self-efficacy and quality of life were supported. The belief that family functioning would have a negative relationship with the participant’s drug usage was not corroborated by the data, as there was no relationship found between these variables. Finally, there was no moderating relationship observed between family functioning, tangible support, and treatment outcomes. This was contrary to expectations that a moderating relationship would be present. Implications of how the study’s findings can inform research and clinical interventions in an opiate addicted population are discussed.

The thesis deals with a substance treatment of opiate addiction and determines drug abuse problems. The paper defines free and regulated market and describes drug prohibition compared with alcohol prohibition. The next part considers the theory of substitute and complement which is a basis for determination of a substance treatment. The goal of thesis is evaluating the effectiveness of substance treatment in the Czech Republic by force of cost-benefits analysis with current information. The empiric part is based upon the information about costs of substance treatment and about lost productivity. The effectiveness of substance treatment is confirmed, the amount gives after deductions for expenses an affirmative value. The next conclusion is positive appraisal of effectiveness of partial financing of Subutex, that is paid by consumer presently.

The purpose of this study was to gather the perceive strategies and substance treatment needs of adults 60 and over. To examine what recovery treatment models and strategies could be most effective for the age-related complex needs of the 60 and over population who are at risk for substance misuse, use or abuse. In the coming years, there will be a substantial increase in the numbers of older adults with substance misuse and abuse problems. Even though one in five individuals who experience substance abuse are older adults many clinicians remain ill equipped to serve older clientele, and particularly those who face substance abuse. Furthermore, the diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse among older adults is complicated by assumptions about aging and the complex physical and cognitive changes in late life, each of which can make the manifestation of symptoms difficult to identify. The results indicate that participates has some definitive values that could increase their participation in engaging with substance treatments tailored to their specific age and belief systems.

Personalens erfarenheter av missbruk är centralt inom tolvstegsbehandling – en vanlig behandlingsform inom svensk missbruksvård. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka på vilket sätt personalens erfarenheter av ett eget alkohol- och/eller olika substansmissbruk påverkar deras förståelse för och förmåga att verka i rollen som behandlare. Studien har utformats och analyserats mot bakgrund av de teoretiska begreppen empati respektive rollteori. För att få en djupare förståelse inom det valda området genomfördes sju kvalitativa intervjuer med behandlare som har bakgrund av eget missbruk. Studien genomfördes på fyra olika behandlingshem med koppling till tolvstegsbehandling. Resultatet visar att erfarenheterna kan bidra med en djupare förståelse för klienten och underlätta alliansskapandet. Studien implicerar att det utmärkande med erfarenheter av eget missbruk är möjligheten att fungera som förebild för klienterna, då dessa behandlare kan visa att ett nyktert/drogfritt liv är möjligt och eftersträvansvärt. Distans och självreflekterande förmåga lyfts fram som viktiga aspekter i förhållande till de egna erfarenheterna. Diskussion förs kring förutsättningar för att erfarenheterna ska bidra till adekvat förståelse och bemötande av klienten. / In Sweden the twelve-step program is commonly used in treatment of persons with addiction. A central aspect of the program is the use of staff with own experiences of substance abuse. The aim of this study is to explore and examine the extent to which staffs’ previous experience of addiction influences their understanding and ability to manage their role as an addiction counselors. The study and data analysis was conducted on the basis of empathy and role theory. A qualitative approach was applied to the seven interviews that were conducted amongst addiction counselors; all of whom had own experiences of addiction. Interviews were carried out in four different treatment centers applying the twelve-step program. The results indicate that personal experiences can be of importance for a deepened understanding of clients situation and also in the establishing of alliance. Attributable to the counselors’ own experiences of addiction is an unique ability to function as models for the clients. Their story is proof that life without drugs/alcohol is both achievable and beneficial. In regard to these findings, experiences need to correspond with an ability of distancing and self-reflectiveness. Important aspects relating to counselors own experiences of substance abuse are discussed in regard to their ability to understand and intervene with the client.