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Cited by 27Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesCounseling, Therapy, and Family DynamicsHomelessness and Social Issues

How concerned significant others experience community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) – A qualitative study

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Hellum, Rikke, Bilberg, Randi, Bischof, Gallus, Nielsen, Anette Søgaard·2021·BMC Family Practice
DOI 10.1186/s12875-021-01596-5PMC PMC8641252

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Abstract

Introduction: Heavy drinking causes serious harm, not only to the drinker but also to relationships and concerned significant others (CSOs). Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is an intervention developed to help the CSOs of substance users. The aim of this study was to investigate the drivers and aims underlying CSO participation in CRAFT, as well as their experience of the intervention itself and their module preferences. Method: This is a qualitative study based on data from semi-structured interviews with 11 female help-seeking CSOs of individuals with alcohol problems. The participants were recruited from an RCT study of a variety of CRAFT delivery formats (group sessions + written material, individual sessions + written material or self-delivered CRAFT with written material only). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: CSOs reported CRAFT helpful when both delivered by means of individual sessions or group sessions. The “Communication Element” in CRAFT, the module focusing on positive reinforcement and acquiring a clearer understanding of AUD, appeared to be particularly helpful elements of CRAFT. Furthermore, being met with acceptance and non-judgmental attitudes seemed to count highly for the CSOs. The written material a helpful supplement to the face-to-face interventions. The written material a helpful supplement to the face-to-face interventions. Conclusion: CSOs who participated in the CRAFT intervention felt helped by its components, irrespective of delivery format.

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  • Problematic substance use of a loved one (identified person, IP) can significantly impact the well-being of family and friends (concerned significant others, CSOs).

    “Problematic substance use of a loved one (identified person, IP) can significantly impact the well-being of family and friends (hereafter referred to as concerned significant others, CSOs) (Hellum et al., 2021”

    From Online community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) for rural concerned significant others: A randomized controlled trial (2026) · cites this paper as Hellum et al., 2021

    The Introduction says alcohol problems can harm the health and quality of life of people close to the drinker, and defines CSOs to include family members and friends. It defines the IP as a person with alcohol problems, however, so its account does not fully support the claim's broader wording about problematic substance use generally. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Hellum, R., Bilberg, R., Bischof, G., & Nielsen, A. S.
Affiliations
  • University of Southern Denmark (DK)
  • University of Lübeck (DE)
Corresponding author
Hellum, Rikke
ORCID
Venue
BMC Family Practice
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2021-12
Volume
22
Issue
1
ISSN
1471-2296 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12875-021-01596-5
PMC
PMC8641252
OpenAlex
W4200268183
Cited by
27
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5
FWCI
2.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Family Practice (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Syddansk Universitet
  • TrygFonden
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
Keywords
Community Reinforcement and Family Training, concerned significant others, family intervention, alcoholism, heavy drinking, intervention delivery format, written materials, positive reinforcement, help-seeking, non-judgmental attitude

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