Collective Motivational Interviewing for Individuals with Drug Use Problems: A Pre-Post-Follow-Up, Uncontrolled Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Addiction research
• Psychological interventions
• Public health

Background:

• Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective for addiction but primarily individualistic.
• Collective motivational interviewing (CMI) adapts MI for collectivistic cultures by engaging social networks.
• Individuals with drug use problems (IDUPs) can benefit from culturally adapted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of CMI for IDUPs.
• To explore the impact of CMI on drug use, motivation, and social support.
• To evaluate the fidelity of CMI using the CMI Treatment Integrity (CMITI) scale.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post-follow-up, uncontrolled feasibility study involving 20 IDUPs and their concerned significant others (CSOs).
• CMI intervention delivered over three sessions with audio-recorded fidelity checks.
• Data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 1- and 3-month follow-ups using quantitative analysis.

Main Results:

• At 3-month follow-up, drug use was reduced (p > 0.05), social support strengthened (p < 0.05), and motivation enhanced (p < 0.05).
• Six IDUPs reduced drug use, ten maintained abstinence, while four showed no change or increased use.
• CMI demonstrated feasibility and acceptability as a therapeutic tool.

Conclusions:

• Collective motivational interviewing (CMI) is a promising intervention for individuals with drug use problems, particularly within collectivistic cultural contexts.
• Engaging concerned significant others (CSOs) through CMI can strengthen social support and enhance motivation for change.
• Further research with robust methodology is warranted to confirm these findings and establish the efficacy of CMI.