Promoting couple therapy in substance use and gambling disorders

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Author(s): Lee, Bonnie K. ; Gilbert, Robert ; Knighton, Rebecca

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: July 23, 2020

This article describes an integrated knowledge translation workshop that brought together 20 stakeholders from mental health and addictions over two days. Participants included decision-makers, researchers, past collaborators, and doctoral trainees. The workshop aimed to build partnerships, raise awareness of current gaps in couple and family supports, and promote a change in the current health system. Surveys were distributed to participants at the end of both days to evaluate the workshop. Survey questions were discussed in two 30-minute focus groups.

The survey and focus group results showed that all participants, especially decision-makers, valued the workshop. The workshop allowed for the exchange of information and a call for action among all parties who attended. From the focus groups, the researchers identified six components of the workshop that had made it successful.

Citation: Lee, B. K., Gilbert, R., & Knighton, R. (2020). Couple therapy in substance use and gambling disorders: Promoting health system change. Contemporary Family Therapy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-020-09536-8

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-020-09536-8

Keywords: addiction ; couple ; couples therapy ; gambling disorder ; substance use ; therapy ; treatment

Topics: Comorbidities ; Family and Friends ; Gambling Resources ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Substance Use

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Comorbid Disorders ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Response Rate: 80% completion rate

Study Design: Participatory Action Research

Geographic Coverage: Canada

Study Population: Among the participants, there were decision-makers (directors, managers, clinical supervisors, previous research collaborators/counsellors, and evaluation leads) from addiction and mental health services (n = 9), researchers (n = 7), previous research collaborators (n = 2), and doctoral students (n = 2).

Sampling Procedure: The workshop lead invited stakeholders from past addiction related conferences and meetings who expressed concerns about relationship issues and gaps in couple and family engagement in addiction services. There was a total of N = 20 participants that agreed to take part in the study. Of the sample, day 2 survey results showed that n = 16 participants completed the workshop evaluation survey. Two focus groups occurred at the end of the workshop and had 8 participants each. In addition, three guests with lived experience in seeking couple therapy for addictive disorders contributed to the workshop proceedings.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Partnerships for Health Services Improvement Planning Grant.