Rehab boosts confidence, research shows
March 16, 2008 - 9:28PM
Drug and alcohol abusers show a marked improvement in mental health and confidence after only a few weeks in a detoxification program, new research shows.
Researchers from the University of Wollongong's Illawarra Institute for Mental Health have been studying the effectiveness of a Salvation Army rehabilitation centre at Morrisset on the NSW Central Coast.
Preliminary results showed people who enter treatment at the Morrisset rehab centre showed a considerable change in the first three weeks of the 10-month program, the institute's Dr Peter Kelly said.
"This includes improvements in their mental health and their confidence to manage their substance misuse," Dr Kelly said in a statement.
"To date, 120 clients have participated in the study. The early results indicate that in just a short period of time they are experiencing considerable benefit from attending ... the centre."
"With over 60 per cent of clients attending the program experiencing both mental health and substance abuse problems, we have been very encouraged by these findings.
"Follow-up is currently being conducted with clients three months after they have left the Morrisset site. We are assessing whether these initial changes are maintained once people leave the service."
The research is set to continue until the end of 2010 and will be expanded to rehabilitation and detoxification programs at Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Canberra, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Townsville.
