16 December 2020
Researchers:
Lorna Templeton, Independent Research Consultant and Visiting Fellow, Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath (in collaboration with Aquarius Action Projects).
Key findings
- An existing evidence-based intervention, the 5-Step Method, can be adapted for adults bereaved through substance use, and delivered in a substance misuse treatment service.
- Family members have benefitted from the intervention in a range of ways, and they have appreciated the specialist and compassionate support they have received.
- There have been several short-term impacts from the research, and concerted efforts are underway to maintain and extend the service. However, this was a small pilot, and the evidence, while encouraging, is limited and qualitative. Further research is certainly needed.
