RUSMIDDEL-Rusmiddelforskning

Substance dependency deeply influences peoples lives in complex ways. There is typically a need for treatment and rehabilitation in a long-term perspective. The public treatment systems have deficient capacity to give follow ups. This is particularly true for patients undergoing detoxification, as withdrawal treatment often proves to be an intervention without formalised follow-up for many patients. Brief, low cost interventions intended for improving patients chances of successful recovery at this stage could be a very cost-effective secondary prophylaxis which could prevent relapses and avoid further negative consequences of the misuse. In a public health perspective, self-help groups (SHGs) may be considered as a complementary form of care that could supplement professional help and provide aftercare once professional treatment has ended. The Public Health authorities of Norway have made a national call for extensive research efforts to be done on SHGs, both to understand the phenomenon and to place importance on the integration of self-help organisations in a public health view. The TSGs (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)) are the most available and widespread groups for patients with alcohol or drug related disorders. Af filiation with TSGs has been identified as a cost-effective and useful approach to promote abstinence among persons with alcohol or other substance-related disorders. Thus it could prove valuable and could enhance substance abuse patients' chances of reco very if international findings and procedures could be accommodated and adjusted to a Norwegian treatment setting. An RCT study will be carried out. Patients entering a detoxification ward at the Addiction Unit at Sørlandet Hospital will be assigned to either standard or intensive referral to TSGs. Patients are followed at 6 months to determine whether intensive referral results in more TSG attendance; in less substance use and better functioning outcomes.