The effect of an education program based on the family-centered empowerment model on addiction severity among methamphetamine users

Introduction: In the process of treatment and prevention of relapsing to drug use, it is important to pay attention to mental health and supportive training interventions based on empowerment models. The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of training intervention based on the family - centered empowerment model upon the severity of damages caused by addiction among methamphetamine (MA) users. Material and methods: This study was a randomized trial. Subjects were divided into the intervention (95 individuals) and control (95 individuals) groups, randomly. The data collection tools included a demographics checklist and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) standard questionnaire which were completed before, and three and six months after the educational intervention. The educational intervention was conducted in nine 90-minute sessions using the 5As method, group discussion and distribution of educational pamphlets. Statistical tests like the independent and paired t-test were used to analyze data. Results: The research findings indicated that the average scores of ASI subscales including family status, mental status and use of drugs were significantly different between before and three months after the training intervention in the intervention group (P < 0.05). The results also showed that the average scores of ASI subscales including medical status, employment, income, family, mental status, legal status and use of drugs were significantly different before and six months after the training intervention in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It was feasible to implement the family-centered empowerment model among MA users and it improved the severity of damages caused by drug abuse.