Lytvynenko V. Psychoeducation in the system of psychosocial rehabilitation of men with alcohol dependence

The aim of this study to assess the effectiveness of psychoeducational programs in the comprehensive psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with alcohol dependence and to develop optimal methods of its use. 150 men with alcohol dependence syndrome, established according to the diagnostic criteria of ICD-10, were examined. 94 patients were treated in the Kharkiv Regional Clinical Narcological Hospital №9, 56 patients - in the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology of the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Northern region. The main group involved 105 patients, who participated in the psycho-educational program developed under the results of our own research, the control group included 45 patients, who received standard regulated hospital therapy. Psychoeducational program for patients with alcohol dependence was developed and tested. It`s main strategy is a comprehensive impact on the cognitive, emotional, psychophysiological, behavioral and social aspects of alcohol dependence. The principles of psychoeducation are the patient's awareness of the painful condition, analysis of their own personal characteristics and features of self-perception in society; formation of the patient’s motivation for treatment; development of skills of adequate behavior in a traumatic situation; correction of "alcoholic" patterns of behavior. At the same time, the psycho-educational program for servicemen has the additional inclusion of training in social skills, stress resistance, training in skills to overcome acute stress. The high efficiency of psychoeducation is established in comparison with the traditional system of rehabilitation of patients with alcohol dependence on reduction of psychopathological symptoms, overcoming of dependent behavior, increase of duration and quality of remission. A significant decrease in the level of social frustration and positive dynamics of stress-coping behavior, the transition from unconstructive coping strategies to constructive ones have been proved. A system of differentiated psychoeducational programs in complex treatment and rehabilitation of civilian and military patients with alcohol dependence was developed, for the first time. There is a positive dynamics of stress-coping behavior, the transition from maladaptive coping strategies to constructive ones, aimed at solving problems (45.1% of patients from main group and 32.6% from the control group).