Topic: Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco, Relationships
Target Population: Couples
Sector: Community-Based
This program is for couples in outpatient alcohol or drug abuse treatment.
Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, a community-based substance-abuse treatment program, is designed to strengthen a couple's relationship and encourage avoidance of substance use through the use of communication and relationship reinforcement skills.
Evaluations of this program suggest that, compared to participants in individual therapy, BCT for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse participants experienced a larger reduction in substance use and greater improvements in their relationship quality, including less partner abuse. Participants' children also experienced better behavioral and emotional outcomes. The duration of effects was less clear. While child outcomes and partner abuse outcomes persisted for at least 1 year, relationship outcomes faded after 6 to 9 months. Substance use outcomes lasted 6 months or more depending on the type of substance use.
This program intends to reduce or eliminate conflict in the home, enhance relationships, encourage substance use abstinence, and prevent participant relapse. Components for the BCT for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse program include the following:
A typical session includes the following:
Since its inception, the BCT for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse program has been used throughout the United States and Canada in outpatient substance abuse treatment programs.
This program is facilitated by a master’s level therapist. Training is not required but is available. Therapists can complete a 2-day, in-person training. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include hiring qualified therapists and ensuring they deliver program sessions with fidelity, understanding funds may be needed to cover program and training costs, recruiting and retaining participants, locating space to hold sessions, and possibly providing child care during sessions.
It should be noted that the lead author in the articles used for this placement was arrested for fraud related to his research; however, the researcher died before the case could go to trial.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing BCT for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
This program consists of three phases: the orientation phase is 4 weeks; the primary treatment phase is 12 weeks; the discharge phase is 8 weeks. Sessions are 60 to 90 minutes each.
Information on implementation costs was not located. Please use details in the Contact section to learn more.
To move BCT for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least two years from the beginning of the program or at least one year from program completion. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Dr. Timothy J. O'Farrell by phone 1-774-826-3493, or email timothy_ofarrell@hms.harvard.edu
https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=86; https://www.recoveryanswers.org/resource/behavioral-couples-therapy/; and Fals-Stewart, O'Farrell, and Birchler (1997).
Fals-Stewart, W., Birchler, G. R., & Kelley, M. L. (2006). Learning sobriety together: A randomized clinical trial examining behavioral couples therapy with alcoholic female patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(3), 579-591. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.74.3.579
Fals-Stewart, W., Birchler, G. R., & O'Farrell, T. J. (1996). Behavioral couples therapy for male substance-abusing patients: Effects on relationship adjustment and drug-using behavior. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(5), 959-972. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.64.5.959
Fals-Stewart, W., Kashdan, T. B., O'Farrell, T. J., & Birchler, G. R. (2002). Behavioral couples therapy for drug-abusing patients: Effects on partner violence. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 22(2), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-5472(01)00218-5
Fals-Stewart, W., Klostermann, K., Yates, B. T., O'Farrell, T. J., & Birchler, G. R. (2005). Brief relationship therapy for alcoholism: A randomized clinical trial examining clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19(4), 363-371. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.19.4.363
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