Description of a Substance Abuse Relapse Prevention Programme conducted by Occupational Therapy and Psychology Graduate Students in a United States Women's Prison

Abstract

Prison inmates who have engaged in substance abuse often have decreased functioning in many areas of activities of daily living. This article describes a unique interdisciplinary substance abuse relapse prevention programme conducted by occupational therapy and psychology graduate students under faculty supervision in a northwestern rural United States women's prison.

The psychology students taught the inmates the theoretical bases for the programme, trigger identification and coping skills, social support development and assertive communication. The occupational therapy students used activities to help the inmates to identify their values and interests, develop ideas and resources for leisure and jobs, structure and manage their time, practise assertiveness and identify strengths. Although programme effectiveness was not formally measured, it appeared to both the students and the faculty members that the inmates experienced personal growth and that the student therapists gained professional skills in working with another discipline and in leading groups.