NCJ Number
253202
Date Published
May 2018
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Findings and methodology are reported for a study that examined how male clients of the Miami-Dade County Adult Drug Court (ADC) who were recovering from substance-use disorders responded to trauma screening and treatment designed to address underlying trauma.
Abstract
The treatment program used in this study was Helping Men Recover (HMR), a gender-responsive program designed for men. It uses relational-cultural theory, which maintains that relationships inform male identity and that non-mutual relationships can generate negative emotions, such as sadness and anger. This may cause withdrawal, depression, insecurity, aggression, and violence. HMR covers four modules addressed in 18 sessions that deal with the self, relationships, sexuality, and spirituality. Program effects were measured through a randomized design. The assignment process used is described. The analyses focused on 179 male ADC clients with an average age of 29. Evaluation findings did not show any discernable difference in most of the outcome measures; however, participants randomized to HMR groups were more likely to report improvements in overall health and were more likely to interact with family and friends who were supportive of their recovery efforts. The likelihood of relapse for all trauma study participants increased 100 days after the participant began trauma-informed substance abuse treatment. 4 figures and 60 references