Development of a Program of Behavior Modification Directed to the Rehabilitation of Drug-Dependent Patients: Treatment and Follow-Up of 223 Cases

Abstract

The study reports treatment and follow-up of compulsive drug-consuming patients (mainly of coca paste). The program used was based on a behavioral cognitive and instructional model. The traditional functional analysis was modified to include the therapeutical work in seven behavioral areas: (1) drug use; (2) behavior during free time; (3) behavior at work; (4) social behavior; (5) self- and environmental management behaviors; (6) problem solving and decision-making behaviors; (7) recognition, evaluation, and modification of irrational beliefs. For each area objectives, therapeutical procedures, control and evaluation methods, and termination criteria were determined. Patients engaged in a multiple activity program and received individual and group therapy. Out of 223 male patients, 130 were discharged (that is, they fulfilled all the conditions stated by the program) and 93 patients abandoned treatment. For evaluation purposes a test was used to determine the accomplishment of the behavioral objectives. Follow-up interviews after 6 to 72 months showed that although 24 patients relapsed to drug use, 106 (81.48%) of the patients who had finished the program restrained from using drugs and obtained high scores in all seven behavioral areas.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Community Treatment Model in Thailand: Policy Implications for Compulsory and Prison-Based Treatment

“…From 1982through 1989, Navarro (1992 conducted a larger study of 223 male patients of the Nana TC, most of whom were consumers of coca paste. Over 47% were abstinent at followup.…”

Therapeutic community drug treatment success in Peru: a follow-up outcome study

“…Although a network of TCs were subsequently created in Peru and other South American countries by UNFDAC, treatment reports (outcome evaluations, etc.) in Latin America were scarce, mainly focusing on epidemiological studies[ 61 ]. Furthermore, there were no systematic treatment reports in the Peruvian literature, and the initial papers only addressed treatment guidelines[ 61 ].…”

“…in Latin America were scarce, mainly focusing on epidemiological studies[ 61 ]. Furthermore, there were no systematic treatment reports in the Peruvian literature, and the initial papers only addressed treatment guidelines[ 61 ]. Beginning in 1978, Navarro[ 62 , 63 ] described the treatment and follow-up of only two patients dependent on coca paste; both patients subsequently stopped using the drug.…”

“…Several years later, Navarro and colleagues[ 65 ] conducted a study on 26 clinical patients at Nana TC who were followed-up from 8 months to 4 years after treatment. From 1982 through 1989, Navarro[ 61 ] conducted a larger study of 223 male patients of the Nana TC, who were mainly consumers of coca paste. Over 47 percent were abstinent at follow-up.…”

Current challenges and future perspectives in the field of addiction psychiatry in Latin America

“…This required rapid changes in the addiction treatments used in the early stages, which led to the Ñ añ a Model for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Psychoactive Substances Dependence (Navarro et al, 1992).…”