Effectiveness of group CFT as treatment in addictions population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the effectiveness of Group Compassion-Focused Therapy for individuals accessing psychological treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
IRAS ID
322577
Contact name
Isabel Traynor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Fife
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 23 days
Research summary
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a third wave of cognitive-behavioural therapy. CFT explicitly includes and promotes the ability to self-soothe and develop the courage to engage with difficult emotions. Through this, individuals learn to move away from self shame, and instead work through these difficulties compassionately.
Research has shown that people use substances to cope with experiencing complex trauma2 and that those who become addicted to substances demonstrate shame and guilt surrounding both their adverse experiences and their substance use. In addition, self compassion has increased wellbeing and reduced shame, self criticism and drug craving for people with substance use disorders.
Self compassion has also been shown to be associated with inverse risk of substance use disorder development, indicating the potential use of self compassion in protecting against substance use as an unhealthy coping mechanism. This provides evidence to implement psychological interventions promoting compassion. Despite this, there is limited research looking at the feasibility of implementing CFT group interventions to promote wellbeing, and reduce psychological distress and shame for substance or alcohol users.
The current study aims to address this gap, to provide new evidence for psychological treatment in addictions. This is a growing field, which requires more evidence base due to the lack of research currently available.
Participants will be made aware of the CFT group by their keyworkers (employed by NHS Addiction Services or relevant third sector organisations), and provided with an information sheet at that point. If they decide they would like to take part, key workers must complete a referral form. Participants will then be screened by a clinician to check suitability. If participants are suitable, they will then be provided with a consent form.
The group will consist of 12 weekly sessions of CFT, each session for 2.5-3 hours. Individuals will be asked to complete questionnaires before and after the group. A small group of individuals will also be asked to conduct a short interview before and after the group, to look at the impact of CFT on an individual’s narrative.REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0140
Date of REC Opinion
26 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion