Alcohol Dependency Treatment Programme
The Alcohol Dependency Treatment Programme (ADTP) is an offending behaviour programme established at HMP Bullingdon in Oxfordshire in January 2007. It is aimed at medium-high risk male offenders with a history of alcohol dependence and is intended to be run in prison settings. The two main dynamic risk factors targeted by the programme are:
- Alcohol dependence; and
- Offending behaviour linked to alcohol dependence
The programme provides an intensive six-week full-time abstinence-based 12 step programme incorporating elements of Motivational Enhanced Therapy and Seeking Safety. Its primarily aims are to strengthen motivation for recovery, encourage affiliation to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), link participants with secondary care and address cognitive and behavioural patterns which undermine participants’ ability to successfully affiliate with AA or engage in future treatment.
"Before doing the RAPt I didn't want to accept that I'd become an alcoholic." - Jon B.
Several elements are present every week and provide continuity throughout the treatment programme. These include a weekly speaker meeting with a volunteer speaker from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), ongoing attendance at a minimum of two AA meetings per week and fortnightly one-to-one sessions.
- Week one provides an introduction and overview of the treatment programme and comprises two intake and orientation session, two motivational enhancement sessions and three group sessions.
- Week two is focused on the development of cognitive and behavioural coping strategies through a number of Living Sober and Seeking Safety workshops.
- Week three introduces participants to the fundamental twelve-step concept of powerlessness over addiction. Powerlessness is used as a means to help participants recognise that they have a problem and accept their need for help, motivating them to focus attention and energy on recovery.
- Week four allows participants to explore the concept of unmanageability helping them to recognise the consequences of alcohol dependence.
- Week five returns the focus of treatment from dealing with denial and motivation to developing coping skills.
- Week six focuses on consolidating previously developed skills and relapse prevention techniques as well as addressing dysfunctional cognitive patterns. Finally, treatment is concluded with a review of content covered and a chance for participants to share and reflect what they have learned and their plans for the future.
In the two weeks following treatment completion, counsellors also hold family conferences where appropriate and link participants to other services, such as housing support, mental health in-reach, and secondary care.
"I can't recommend this course highly enough to those that have been failed by the system in the past. If your genuine in your need and honest to yourself, the support and back up supplied is second to none" - Warren D.
Preliminary findings show that the programme is able to bring about significant changes in the offenders who undertake the programme:
- The majority of men accessing the programme are in custody for violent offences connected to their alcohol use;
- Most have been dependent on alcohol for more that 6 years;
- The programme is able to substantially impact on offenders risk of re-offending;
- Participants show increased awareness of the impact of their crimes on their victims;
- Post treatment, 77% of participants rated their risk of relapse as either low or very low; and
- Participants completing the programme continue to access support to help them stay sober and avoid the risk of re-offending on release.