An evaluation of the psychosocial group programme at an inpatient detoxification and stabilisation unit: a service improvement project

What is it about?

Individuals who use substances (e.g. drugs or alcohol) in a problematic way and have complex physical or mental health needs may be offered an inpatient admission to help them detox or stabilize from their substances. The current research suggests that including a psychosocial group as part of someone’s inpatient stay can be helpful, but there are no guidelines currently that say what this programme should look like. This evaluation aimed to look at a psychosocial group running at a UK inpatient unit for substance use problems. Service users were given questionnaires at the start and end of their time on the unit, and were asked to complete a questionnaire about their ability to control their emotions, and another about the resources they have for their ongoing recovery journey (i.e. recovery capital). At the end of their stay, service users were also asked to answer a questionnaire that asked them what they thought about the group programme. Thirty-four service users took part. The findings suggest individual’s resources for recovery greatly increased during their time on the unit, but their ability to control their emotions did not improve. Themes that came from the questionnaire were that service users described the importance of shared experiences, learning of new skills, and the group as a positive experience. Service users provided suggestions for improvements to the group programme, and the findings were developed into recommendations and shared with the service in a feedback session with staff.

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