Promoting Holistic Well-being in Addiction Treatment: Effects of the Flourishing Intervention in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of the Flourishing Intervention (FI) versus usual care (UC) on craving symptoms, mental health, and quality of life among hospitalized crack/cocaine users. METHODS: A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted in a Brazilian psychiatric hospital. Participants were inpatients (N=119) undergoing detoxification and met ICD-10 criteria for crack/cocaine use disorders. The FI included twelve meetings (ten group sessions) on virtues and human values. Outcomes included crack/cocaine craving (primary), personal flourishing, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, quality of life, readiness to change, religiosity, and spirituality. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Post-treatment, the FI group (n=79) had slightly lower scores on the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire-Brief (CCQ) measure (d=-0.21) compared to the UC group (n=40); the difference between the two groups on a visual analog scale (VAS) of crack/cocaine craving (d=-0.03) was more negligible. Within-group analyses for the FI group supported post-intervention improvements in craving (CCQ: d=-0.51; VAS: d=-0.61) and several secondary outcomes. Qualitative findings (n=30) highlighted the value of group therapy, motivation to quit drugs and to reach personal goals, positive emotions, and strengthening protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided preliminary evidence suggesting that the FI may be beneficial in reducing craving symptoms and promoting personal flourishing.