An Analysis of substance-abuse treatment programs: Comparing the efficacy of treatment between SMART Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous at the duration of 30, 60, and 90 days on the SASSI-3.

摘要

This study analyzes the effect of the Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) program and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on the treatment of substance abuse. Substance abuse and dependence refer to any continued or intermitted intervals of pathological use of a medication, non-medically indicated drug (called drugs of abuse). For the purposes of this study, substance abuse is any pattern of substance use that results in repeated adverse social consequences related to drug-taking---for example, interpersonal conflicts, failure to meet work, family, or school obligations, or legal problems. The goal of SMART is to aid in the development of self-management and self-care techniques for individuals who are in recovery from substance abuse. The methods are geared toward educating participants on the importance of maintaining a balanced, healthy, drug-free life. For this study, the researcher used the SASSI-3 scale to assess the effectiveness of the SMART program in comparison to the Alcoholics Anonymous treatment program at three time intervals (30, 60 and 90 days). Three groups were tested and compared, including a control group of individuals not dealing with substance abuse, individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse with SMART Recovery, and individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse with Alcoholics Anonymous. Results obtained from the SMART program participants were compared to the group of participants who were seeking treatment through Alcoholics Anonymous. The hypothesis is that the SMART recovery program will have a significant and beneficial effect on recovering substance abusers when compared to AA. The question this study attempts to answer is whether SMART Recovery helps individuals in recovery to abstain from substance use/abuse as well as or better than a 12-step program at 30, 60 and 90 days on this measure.