Practice and evaluation of group work programs for families with drug dependent people
Nishikawa, K.
Nihon Arukoru Yakubutsu Igakkai Zasshi 42(6): 635-658
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1341-8963 PMID: 18240652 Document Number: 607482
This study aims at examining the evaluation of a group work program for families with drug dependent people which has started at a Non-Profit Organization, Freedom in Osaka from 2004. The aims of the group work program included 1) provision of knowledge and information regarding drug dependency and recovery; 2) support for families influenced by drug related problems; 3) support for coping properly with drug dependents; 4) support for recovery of family relationship; 5) introduction to self-help groups (Nar-Anon). Two questionnaire surveys were conducted in 2005 and 2006 among the participants of the group work program to evaluate the effects of the program. In 2005, a questionnaire survey was conducted for 98 newcomers to a group work program for drug dependent people and their families and had 64 responses. The survey in 2006 revealed that mother's family functions were low and addictive tendencies of mothers and wives were high. In 2006 a follow-up survey was conducted among the respondents of the 2005 survey and obtained 36 responses. The average numbers of participation among these respondents were 5.4. The survey in 2006 revealed that the numbers of participation to the program were related correlatively to the improvement of family functions and the decrease of addictive tendencies of mothers and wives. In addition, 31% of the drug dependents stayed sober and 12% responded "the drug use is same as a year ago", or "the use has increased". It will be predicted that the improvement of family functions and the recovery of family relationship decreased the drug use of the dependents as an effect of the group work program.