Authors:

Abstract

Correction: Due to an error in the online publication of this journal, the publication date of this issue was recorded as 2014. The publication date was corrected to 2015 on 3^rd September 2015. The date on the cover is correct.

Being a drug addict has a high probability of alienation, even if one belongs to a strong inter-dependent family. Culturally, it is simply that he had deviated from his family’s piously-held values and norms. By capitalising on the idea of therapeutic alliance, the researchers identified a strong but slightly different form of therapeutic alliance which is a core value flourishing nat­urally in the Malay collectivist culture. Working on this collectivist family therapeutic alliance has enhanced effective communication and co-operation between the Recovering Addict (RA) and their family members which resulted in RA’s capability to stay drug free. In this study, four RAs and 35 members of their family were put together to form four research groups. Open orientation group is adopted to suit the unpredictable group member’s attendance during the four months’ period of treatment. For the purpose of collecting data, the researchers used three sets of inventory called Establishing and Maintaining Therapeutic Alliance Inventory or EMTAI.1, EMTAI.2 and EMTAI.3, partly based on a modified version of Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) format. The results from pre and post tests showed that there is strong readiness among the subjects to establish and to maintain a therapeutic alliance. The follow up test, conducted two years after the last research group received treatment, showed that three out of four RAs suc­cessfully ‘kicked the habit’ and are living drug free lives.

International Journal of Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2015;1(3-4):93-105

Keywords: Family therapeutic alliance, Recovering addict, Establishing and maintaining therapeutic alliance inventory, Working alliance inventory