Effects of Family-Centered Empowerment Model Based Education Program on Quality of Life in Methamphetamine Users and Their Families

BACKGROUND Nowadays there are more concerns about drug treatment of methamphetamine abusers whereas quality of life (QOL) related supportive psychotherapy is less credited. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the effects of family-centered empowerment model on social support and QOL of methamphetamine users and their families. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study was a randomized clinical trial; individuals were randomly allocated to three groups: a group for educating methamphetamine users in recovery (95 subjects), a group for educating a family member of methamphetamine users in recovery (95 subjects) and a control group (95 subjects). Data collecting instruments were standard questionnaires of social support and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Data were analyzed using χ2-test, t-test, paired t-test, Pearson's correlation and ANOVA. RESULTS Mean scores of QOL and social support dimensions changed significantly in two intervention groups (P < 0.0001), but didn't change in the control group (P > 0.05). Also, there was a positive significant relation (P < 0.05) between total social support and all dimensions of QOL for all study groups. CONCLUSIONS Family-centered empowerment model, easily adapted to methamphetamine users and their families, leads to improved social supports and QOL.