title: Positive and negative features of a computer assisted drug treatment program delivered by mentors to homeless drug users living in hostels.
abstract: This paper explores positive and negative features of computer assisted therapy (CAT) delivered by mentors to homeless drug users (HDUs) living in hostels. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 HDUs and 15 mentors (all hostel staff) at the beginning and end of a 12-week CAT program. Findings indicate that successful delivery of the CAT relates to: 'program features' (e.g. its accessibility, flexibility, user-friendly interface); 'delivery context' (e.g. privacy, having appropriate computing equipment), 'client characteristics' (HDUs being recovery-focused and committed to using the program), and 'mentor support' (clients having personalized attention from an encouraging and sympathetic other). It is concluded that CATs can be used with HDUs but are unlikely to replace addiction therapists. Rather, they are more likely to be effective when combined with a strong therapeutic relationship. Services using CATs with HDUs need to provide staff training, support, and time to maximize the potential benefits.
authors.affiliation: Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, London, UK, SE5 8AF; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neale
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straw's Lane, Oxford, UK, OX3 0FL. Electronic address: cstevenson@brookes.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Caral
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D055030:Drug Users; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Computer assisted therapy; Drug treatment; Homelessness; Qualitative research; Therapeutic relationship