Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 12) Study: Occupational therapy reduces substance abuse, homelessness relapses Relapse is common for those with substance abuse disorders, and stable recovery is generally defined as a four- to five-year period of continuous abstinence. Typically, severe and persistent alcohol and other drug addictions have been treated using an intervention paradigm, which consists of short-term treatment with the expectation of full recovery. However, an occupational therapist-led approach — a peer-supported community program focused on selfdetermination — could provide a significant reduction in risk of relapse for both substance abuse and homelessness, according to a new study by Rosemary Boisvert, MS, OTR; Linda M. Martin, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, a professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy and Community Health at Florida Gulf Coast University; and two other occupational therapists who were graduate students at the time of the study, Maria Grosek and Anna June Schug. “It is unrealistic to expect patients with chronic substance abuse disorders to achieve full recovery following a brief intervention,” said Martin. “Though this was a small study, our evidence suggests peer-based community support following a participatory and empowerment approach may improve recovery long-term.” The agency supporting this study, the Transitional Living Center of Southwest Florida Addictions Services, added permanent supportive housing as part of the continuum of care in 2004. The residents served by the housing program were all homeless prior to admission to the program, and all had completed a residential substance abuse program and/or a halfway house program prior to moving into the peer-supported community. Goals of the new community were to help residents continue abstinence from abuse and transition out of homelessness. Analysis of residents prior to the introduction of a peer-supported community program revealed a 24 percent chance (monthly) of relapse to substance abuse, while the risk for those residents participating in the program was 7 percent. Six months prior to the study, the relapse rate for homelessness was 85 percent. During the first sixmonth period of the study, the relapse rate for homelessness was 33 percent. It is important to note that, when relapses did occur, residents suffering “minor relapse” typically remained in the peer-supported community and sought out assistance. Additionally, the relapses were short-lived and did not result in major setbacks. Evidence from the study supports the use of participation in a peer-supported community as a promising strategy for sustaining recovery of at-risk clients. “Pre-program relapse data suggests that permanent supportive housing alone is insufficient to secure a positive result for most at-risk clients. Biweekly meetings and social events promoting participation, mutual support and self-determination empower individuals to take control of the direction of their lives and provide them with social supports that often are not available when clients are released into the broader community,” said Martin. “Furthermore, the majority of residents in the housing unit chose to participate in the community, the majority continue to maintain housing and many, if not all, take an active role within the community, as well as taking staff-identified issues back to the community for discussion. A number of residents have since moved on ����������� ������������� ���������� ������������ �������� ��� ������������� �������������������� �������������������������������� ��������������� ����������������������������� ������������ ��������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ��������������� ��������������������� ���������������������� �������������������������������������� ��������� ������������������������� ���� ��������������������������������������� ★★★★ ������������������������������������������������� � ������������ ������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ������������������� ���������������������������������������� 12 Pulse / Fall 2009 ��������� � � � � � � � � � ������������������������������ �������������� ������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������������� http://www.rortega@niagararehabilitation.com http://www.kbradley@schofieldcare.org Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - Fall 2009 Pulse - Fall 2009 Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 1) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 2) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 3) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 4) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 5) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 6) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 7) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 8) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 9) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 10) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 11) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 12) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 13) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 14) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 15) Pulse - Fall 2009 - (Page 16) http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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