Archive | 2021
Multi-Site Dissemination of Four-Session Individual Transcending Self Therapy: An Integrative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders
Abstract
Background: Efficacious interventions for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) among veterans are of central importance. To address this need, Transcending Self Therapy: Four-Session Individual Integrative Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (Individual-TST-I-CBT) was developed. The primary aim of this project was to determine if Individual-TST-I-CBT could be successfully implemented and accepted by providers and programs/organizations at three interdisciplinary Veterans Affairs Medical Center Substance Abuse Treatment Programs (SATPs). The secondary aim of this project was to collect treatment outcome information from pilot dissemination sites. Methods: One provider at each pilot site participated in a one-day training workshop, then provided Individual-TST-I-CBT to their patients. Providers completed an end-of-project feedback survey to assess attitudes and beliefs about Individual-TST-I-CBT and perceived helpfulness of project components. Medical records were reviewed and treatment outcome data were retrieved for veterans who received either Individual-TST-I-CBT (N=88) or treatment-as-usual individual therapy (TAU; N=81) as part of SATP treatment. Results: Primary aim: Individual-TST-I-CBT providers reported that they were satisfied with Individual-TST-I-CBT; would recommend Individual-TST-I-CBT to others; were motivated to continue providing and spreading Individual-TST-I-CBT; and believed that Individual-TST-I-CBT is helpful and useful in promoting recovery (all 100% agree/strongly agree). Providers further reported that they were confident in their organization/program’s continued support of Individual-TST-I-CBT implementation (100% agree/strongly agree) and that Individual-TST-I-CBT was readily adopted into their program (88.89% agree/strongly agree). Secondary aim: Patients treated with Individual-TST-I-CBT were significantly less likely to have a positive urine drug screen during treatment compared to TAU patients (21.8% vs 35.9%; p=.046). Individual-TST-I-CBT patients reported an understanding of the Individual-TST-I-CBT material; a desire to achieve recovery; and confidence in their ability to achieve recovery (means ranged from 7.76–9.39 on 10-point scales). Conclusion: These preliminary data indicate that Individual-TST-I-CBT may be an effective treatment for SUD. Additional dissemination efforts and a large-scale randomized clinical trial of Individual-TST-I-CBT may be warranted.