Quasi-randomized trial of solution-focused brief therapy intervention for readiness to change and alcohol and other drug use in a Brazilian community-based treatment center

Abstract

Objective

Strategies to increase readiness to change may enhance community-based substance use treatment outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) on readiness to change and substance use compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in a Brazilian community-based substance use treatment center.

Methods

One hundred two adults (M = 36.79, SD = 10.29) were quasi-randomized into SFBT or TAU groups. Assessments were completed at baseline, post-test, and 1-month follow-up. The primary outcome was the changes in readiness to change at post-test and 1-month follow-up. The secondary outcome was the change in substance use at 1-month follow-up.

Results

Through Quade non-parametric analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), both groups decreased tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine/crack use at 1-month follow-up, but SFBT had greater reductions in alcohol use (p = .05). ANCOVA analysis demonstrated no differences between groups on readiness to change at any time point. However, among participants who used multiple substances (n = 59), SFBT showed higher readiness to change at post-test (p = .05).

Conclusions

These findings strengthen the evidence that SFBT holds promise for positive community-based substance use treatment outcomes.

Keywords:

• community-based treatment
• readiness to change
• solution-focused brief therapy
• substance use disorders
• substance use treatment

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the clients and staff of CAPS-ad who made this study possible.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (CNPA) upon reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the University’s Research Ethics Committee (CAAE 05227218.9.0000.5407).

Informed Consent from Participants

Informed written consent was obtained from all participants.

Clinical Trial Registration

This study was preregistered with the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-2kcbxz/).

Author Contributions

CNPA contributed to the study design, protocol design, performance of the solution-focused brief-therapy intervention, data management, data analysis, writing- original draft preparation. CMCW contributed to the study design, protocol design intervention fidelity monitoring and writing- reviewing and editing, supervision. MRGCZ contributed to the data analysis, writing- reviewing and editing. AMY contributed to the data analysis, manuscript design, writing- reviewing and editing, supervision.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) [grant number: 167775/2018-9].