Preparation

Partnering With Families Affected by Concurrent Disorders - Facilitators' Guide

In Preparation:

• Adapting the program
• Choosing a delivery method
• Relationship of program to other family and consumer services

Adapting the program

The materials in this package were developed and tested in a specialized addiction and mental health organization in Toronto. The package was also used in a 12-session group in a community-based mental health agency in eastern Ontario. Researchers have argued that, when education and support programs are moved from research settings into community-based agencies, it is often necessary to adapt content in order to increase participation and maximize outcomes (Pollio et al., 2002). When presenting the educational component, facilitators should emphasize the material that reflects the concerns of the group members. For some populations, this might involve being attuned to ethno-cultural or linguistic issues. For others, it might mean focusing on specific mental health problems or specific substance use problems or both. Other group member characteristics that should be taken into consideration when looking at the content of the sessions include:

• the amount of time that has elapsed since the ill relative’s diagnosis
• whether the ill relative is in treatment
• whether the family members have participated in support and/or advocacy groups (Solomon, 1996).

Group facilitators should also consider adapting the method of delivery of the program to fit the characteristics of the community in which they are working. For example, agencies that serve a wide geographical area might consider using Internet-based discussion groups rather than face-to-face meetings. Other strategies to consider include:

• alternating the location for sessions between two or more communities
• increasing the interval between sessions
• decreasing the number of sessions, and increasing the length of each session (McFarlane et al., 2003).

The basic principle that informs this approach to supporting families is continuing to check in with the participants from week to week to get feedback and to be open to “tweaking” the materials and the process of conducting the groups to ensure maximum benefit for group members.

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Partnering With Families Affected by Concurrent Disorders - Facilitators' Guide

• Overview
• Working with families
• Preparation
• Implementation
• Evaluation
• Session Outlines
  • Session 1: Introduction
  • Session 2: Substance use problems
  • Session 3: Mental health problems
  • Session 4: How concurrent disorders affect family life
  • Session 5: Self-care
  • Session 6: Stigma
  • Session 7: Navigating the treatment system
  • Session 8: Medication
  • Session 9: Relapse prevention
  • Session 10: Crisis and emergency
  • Session 11: Recovery
  • Session 12: Saying goodbye
• References
• Resources
• Appendix 1: An Overview of the Research
• Appendix 2: The Partnering With Families Affected by Concurrent Disorders Project

• Print