The use of computer-assisted therapy by homeless drug users living in hostels: An explorative qualitative study

Abstract

Aims: To explore the use of computer-assisted therapy (CAT) by homeless drug users (HDUs) living in hostels in order to assess the likely acceptability of online treatment for this population. Methods: Repeat semi-structured interviews with 30 HDUs (25 men; 5 women) who agreed to participate in a 12-week mentor-assisted online drug treatment programme: Breaking Free Online (BFO). Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using Framework. Findings: Prior to the first BFO session, HDUs’ hopes and goals were seldom confined to reducing their drug consumption. Most described broader recovery and wellbeing aims, and many wanted BFO to improve their computing skills. Nearly all participants expressed positive feelings about the programme after both their first and last session, with clients highlighting BFO's accessibility, flexibility, interactive capabilities and user-friendly interface. Negative comments related to structural barriers that prevented the programme from being used as intended. After the last BFO session, only four clients reported reduced substance use, but other personal, psychological, educational and social benefits were identified. Conclusions: There is potential for using CAT programmes, such as BFO, with HDUs living in hostels. However, evaluations might need to assess a range of recovery indicators in order to gauge any evidence of treatment success.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Breaking Free Online for funding the study, the service providers who agreed to the research being conducted in their hostels, and two anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful and helpful comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. In addition, we are particularly grateful to the mentors and the clients, without whom the study would not have been possible.

Declaration of interest: This research was funded by Breaking Free Online.