Alternative approach to goal setting: Chronos approach

Background: Goal setting is a key component of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment and often this centres around the reduction or cessation of problematic use.
Aim: I will present an alternative approach to setting behaviour reduction goals – named the Chronos Approach – that sets goals focussed on the interval and rate of that behaviour with no requirement to count the frequency of the behaviour.
Method and Results: Data supporting the efficacy of this approach is drawn from existing literature. Findings indicate that goals focussed on Skip, Slow, Delay and Stop as a way of managing reduction/cessation is supported by consumer feedback.
Discussion: This approach is particularly helpful when adopting a hybrid approach where digital interventions and face-to-face interventions are combined to support individuals to reduce and/or cease problem AOD use.

Alexandra Azzi | Project Officer The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney

Alexandra is a Project Officer at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney. She holds an Honours degree in Medical Science and supports the national dissemination of the third edition of the Guidelines on co-occurring conditions.

Credited Persons

Christina Marel | Program Lead of Treatment and Translation in Complex Populations The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney

Katherine L Mills | Director of Early Intervention and Treatment Research The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney

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