An Evaluation Study of the “RESTART” Program—Short-Term Residential Treatment for Addiction

AbstractThe syndrome model of addiction argues that addiction should be conceptualized as a syndrome with multiple opportunistic expressions. The model is built on the observation that despite the various manifestations of addictive behaviors, they share many commonalities in terms of the etiology and the associated consequences. This model proliferates the understanding of the high relapse rate in addiction after receiving solely symptom-focused treatment. For clinicians, this conceptual model emphasizes the importance of in-depth multidimensional assessment and treatment modality for the interacting underpinnings of addictions. In Hong Kong, very few residential services are currently provided for clients with addictive behaviors other than substance abuse. Against this background, we developed a pilot short-term residential treatment program namely “RESTART” based on the Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy for clients with various expressions of addiction. The program contained a 4-day and 3-night overnight residential treatment camp followed by three post-camp workshops, and a full-day camp. It aimed to help particip ants rebuild a positive lifestyle and raise self- efficacy and coping abilities. The program recruited 44 participants with various expressions of addiction including gambling disorder, sex addiction, compulsive buying, compulsive stealing, internet gaming disorder, alcohol, and cigarette addiction. The program evaluation focused on ...
Source: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Category: Addiction Source Type: research