Local community-based agency that delivers substance abuse treatment services to adjudicated populations. Assess whether the agency is using an empirically-supported treatment or intervention approach or some other approach. Inquire and assess their recidivism rates to compare effectiveness in comparison with other models. Describe in detail the model used by the agency, the rationale for their adoption of that particular model (e.g., evidence based, practical, popular with this particular population, bilingual, etc.), and compare the model adopted by the agency. Provide hypotheses indicating the extent of effort involved if the agency were to adopt a model other than the one currently using (e.g., training involved, ease of implementation, potential results and impact, etc.).
Sample Answer
This comprehensive assessment will delve into a local community-based agency that delivers substance abuse treatment services to adjudicated populations. We will examine their treatment approach, assess recidivism rates, detail their model, and hypothesize the effort involved in adopting an alternative empirically-supported model.
Agency Assessment: Empirically-Supported vs. Other Approaches
To assess whether the agency is using an empirically-supported treatment or intervention approach, we would need to directly inquire about the specific therapeutic modalities and program structures they employ.
Empirically-supported treatments (ESTs), also known as evidence-based practices (EBPs), are interventions that have been rigorously tested through scientific research (e.g., randomized controlled trials) and consistently shown to be effective for specific populations and conditions. For adjudicated populations with substance abuse issues, common ESTs include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors linked to substance use.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) / Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): A client-centered approach that helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change and enhance intrinsic motivation.