Preparation for alcohol detoxification group programme. Service users’ evaluation of individual sessions

Abstract

There is limited evidence to guide clinicians on how to prepare alcohol-dependent clients for detoxification. This paper briefly reports the evaluation of the Preparation for Alcohol Detoxification group programme sessions by service users. Methods: Clients attending the programme provided feedback using a specially developed form containing closed and free text questions. Results: One hundred and thirty three forms were analysed out of 166 received. Completion rate per session varied from 46 to 100%. The majority of clients were positive or partly positive for all sessions. Clients felt welcome to participate in all sessions. For the sessions “understanding addiction” and “relapse prevention” clients were rather neutral, indicating a need to change session content or focus. Conclusion: Clients felt able to participate actively despite the structured nature of the sessions. The positive response might be related to the therapeutic approach taken by group facilitators, inviting clients to engage in active exploration of their difficulties and practise of potential solutions, achieving a balance between didactic and experiential style.

• Preparation
• alcohol detoxification
• service user satisfaction