Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in substance abusers remains an area of inquiry in need of investigation. The few studies on the topic have found substance abuser HRQOL less than that of the general population. The present research compared 303 substance abusers in long-term residential therapeutic community treatment in New York with a general non-institutionalized adult sample from New York (N=27,465) whose data were collected between 2002 and 2006 during the yearly administrations of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based system of health surveys gathering data from upwards of 350,000 adults per year across all 50 states. One sample t-tests found that the in-treatment substance abusers reported significantly more physically and mentally unhealthy days over the past 30 days, as well as significantly more inactive days over the past 30 days due to illness.

The modified therapeutic community (MTC) is one treatment modality developed to meet the needs of the homeless dually diagnosed population. While studies have shown the effectiveness of the MTC, little is known regarding staff perspectives of this modality. Using data from in-depth qualitative interviews, this study examines key staff perspectives on treatment services offered at an MTC in New York for homeless, mentally ill substance abusers. Many staff members indicated that the services provided are innovative, state of the art, and comprehensive as compared to other programs that specifically treat only one need. The most beneficial aspects of the MTC modality noted were the number of social workers available and the introduction of art therapy groups. The MTC modality also fostered increases in communication and collaboration between staff to introduce more specialized clinical groups not outlined in MTC guidelines to better meet the needs of clients.

No abstract

No abstract