Objective Comorbid substance misuse and mental health difficulties are recognized as a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide. Amidst cuts to healthcare services, computer-based interventions may provide support for patients experiencing these difficulties. The aims of this systematic review were to identify and investigate the efficacy of these computerbased interventions at improving substance misuse and mental health outcomes. Methods A systematic search was conducted of CINAHL Plus, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Grey literature was also searched for relevant papers. Data were extracted from 33 papers, which met eligibility criteria by reporting a computerbased intervention designed to treat substance misuse and mental health in adults. Quality assessments were conducted on these papers. Results Computer-based interventions generally led to an improvement of substance misuse and mental health outcomes within groups and when compared against waitlist control and psychoeducation. Computer-based interventions were effective at improving dual diagnosis outcomes, and improvements to mental health outcomes specifically were maintained for up to nine months. However, the combined effect of computer-based interventions and therapist support was found to be more effective than the effects of computer-based interventions alone.
Associations between baseline service user characteristics, engagement with a tailorable computer-assisted therapy for substance misuse, and clinical outcomes: Effectiveness of 'Breaking Free Online' at health and social care organisation 'Change, Grow, Live'
Purpose
Despite overall reductions in levels of smoking in the UK, rates of offender smoking remain high. In 2016, it was announced that prisons in England and Wales would gradually introduce a smoking ban. The purpose of this paper is to explore offenders’ perceptions around the upcoming smoking ban.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of eight focus groups were conducted in four prisons across the North of England. Both smoking and non-smoking offenders participated in the focus groups, and thematic analysis was used to explore the findings.
Findings
Themes generated from the data were “freedom and rights”, “the prison environment” and “guiding support”. Participants discussed how the smoking ban was viewed as a punishment and restricted their freedom, with perceptions as to why the ban was being implemented centring around others trying to control them. Participants expressed concerns around the financial implications of the smoking ban on already stretched prison resources. Participants also recommended improving the nicotine replacement therapy on offer, and increasing the range of leisure activities within the prison to prepare for the smoking ban.
Originality/value
Overall, it was apparent that participants’ awareness of the smoking ban was generally poor. It is recommended that offenders need to be made more aware of the smoking cessation support they will receive and given the opportunity to ask questions about the smoking ban. Increasing offenders’ awareness of the ban may reduce stress associated with a perceived lack of choice around their smoking behaviours.
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