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An Evaluation of a Therapeutic Community for Former Drug Users
Author(s) -
Ogborne Alan C.,
Melotte Christopher
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
british journal of addiction to alcohol and other drugs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0007-0890
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1977.tb03968.x
Subject(s) - therapeutic community , conviction , abstinence , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , institution , alcoholics anonymous , drug , family medicine , sociology , political science , law , social science
A descriptive account is given of the operation of one of the fast Concept‐Based Therapeutic Communities to be established in the U.K. The concept of a total institution was found useful to understanding the practice of the program. The fast 100 residents admitted to the house were followed up mainly by personal interview once the majority had left the house for at least six months. Overall, the achievements of the house were similar to those of Concept houses in the U.S. Only a minority of all admissions completed the program and the majority of these were recruited onto the staff or left to work in similar houses. Of all admissions, about one third seemed, over the follow‐up period, to have abstained or to have used drugs less intensely than prior to their admission. Abstinence and infrequent drug use at follow‐up were related to employment and the absence of criminal conviction. Factors associated with outcome are presented and discussed. Some concern is expressed about alcohol use among program graduates and those abstaining from other drugs.