AUTHOR=Campbell Anne , Millen Sharon , Jordan Uisce , Watson Diane , Watson Joy , McCorry Roger 

TITLE=Exploring the experiences of residents and their families in an alcohol-related brain injury residential rehabilitation unit in Northern Ireland: a qualitative study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1397428

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1397428

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Objective</title><p>Limited research exists on comprehensive interventions for individuals with Alcohol Related Brain Injury (ARBI). Exploring the impact of a rehabilitation service on individuals with ARBI and their relatives/caregivers, this study aimed to gain insights into their experiences and assess how the service influenced cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, social relationships, community engagement, and the desire for abstinence.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Method</title><p>This was a qualitative, semi structured interview study as part of a larger mixed methods study of residents and their family members. Data was collected over 4 timepoints with <italic>n</italic> = 20 residents: baseline (<italic>n</italic> = 20 interviews), 6 months (<italic>n</italic> = 15 interviews), 12 months (<italic>n</italic> = 6 interviews) and at discharge (<italic>n</italic> = 8 interviews). The interviews took place at a specialist residential rehabilitation facility for people with ARBI. Remote interviews were conducted with family members (<italic>n</italic> = 10). A thematic analysis of transcripts using NVivo software was undertaken.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>Qualitative findings for residents with ARBI across 4 timepoints from baseline to time of discharge indicated an improvement in all outcomes. Overall, residents reported that the ARBI holistic intervention improved psychological wellbeing, social relationships/community participation, functioning abilities, and abstinence from alcohol, particularly when residents were residing in the unit. Family members and carers presented more trepidation regarding the long-term impacts.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Whilst the residential unit provided structure and a protective environment, residents required ongoing support post discharge for their addictive behaviours. An outreach intervention for these individuals is currently being piloted.</p></sec>