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.