UPEI’s Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research pilots web-based addictions treatment program in two First Nations communities

UPEI'S Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research (CHBMR) is running the first instance in Canada of a web-based addictions treatment program known as CBT4CBT. The pilot program will be run in Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations communities.

CBT4CBT is an award-winning Cognitive Behavioural Therapy developed at the Yale School of Medicine by Dr. Kathleen Carroll. In PEI, CBT4CBT will be run and assessed by a research team from UPEI's CHBMR, including Dr. Michelle Patterson.

'Ever since I first discovered Dr. Carroll's work with CBT4CBT, I believed it to be an ideal program to offer in Canadian, and particularly First Nation, communities,' said Dr. Patterson. 'CBT4CBT has real potential to improve addictions treatment options and enhance the quality of life within the communities of Abegweit and Lennox Island, as well as other rural populations throughout Canada.'

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy strives to allow patients to recognize triggers, improve coping mechanisms, and alter the behaviour that leads to substance abuse. CBT4CBT is the first program to offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy online alongside traditional treatment options such as counselling.

'The First Nations community of Lennox Island is proud to be the first trial site in Canada for the implementation of this new computer-based mental health and addictions treatment program,' said Matilda Ramjattan, Chief of the Lennox Island First Nation. 'Based on the need for improved care in our rural communities and the success of this new approach in previous studies in the U.S. we expect to see notable benefits.'

Brian Francis, Chief of the Abegweit First Nation adds, 'The CBT4CBT program has the potential to be a great resource for those suffering from substance abuse in our community. We believe that this program will positively impact our community as a whole as well as other First Nations and non-First Nation communities in Canada.'

Online delivery of CBT4CBT will allow 24/7 access to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for remote and rural communities that often struggle with the availability of treatment options.

'This initial trial in the Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations communities constitutes a crucial first step in bringing a new frontline approach to improve Mental Health and Addictions treatments to Prince Edward Island and Canada,' said Dr. Juergen Krause, dean of UPEI's School of Business, and director of the CHBMR. 'It is our goal at the Centre for Health and Biotechnology Management Research to identify and implement new and meaningful research projects, such as the CBT4CBT, which address predominant needs in our communities.'

The research team at CHBMR is in negotiations to run CBT4CBT in other health care settings and communities on Prince Edward Island and looks forward to more exciting announcements in the near future.