Clients’ Experiences and Satisfaction with an Integrated Intensive Outpatient Program for Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Comorbidity between substance use disorders and other mental health conditions is common, yet existing treatments often fail to address its full spectrum. Opportunities for integrated treatment are limited, and the effects of such treatment remain relatively unexplored. This study aims to describe the experiences of individuals with substance use disorders who received treatment at an integrated intensive outpatient addiction-care clinic. Utilising a survey with quantitative measures and qualitative questions with free-text responses, the experiences of 65 clients who had completed the programme between 2015 and 2021 were evaluated. The findings indicated that most clients were highly satisfied with the treatment. The analysis revealed three main categories: strong relationships and a comprehensive treatment programme; engaged and knowledgeable staff who lead with warmth; and self-development through new experiences. Overall, clients reported high levels of satisfaction with the integrated intensive outpatient programme. Despite these positive outcomes, this study highlights the need for further research on, knowledge about and competence in the development of integrated treatment interventions for individuals with substance use disorders.