Incorporating Islam in the Therapeutic Community modality for rehabilitation of substance and drug users. A Malaysian experience

Abstract

Therapeutic Community (TC) was introduced in Malaysia back in the early 1990's. TC was adopted from Daytop Village after rehabilitation officers attended a series of on-site training. Daytop model do not emphasis on religious aspects but when it was brought to Malaysia, Islam was made one of the primary components of TC. Compulsory five-time daily prayers, "Sunat" prayers, recitation of "doa", "zikir", reading Quranic verses and Prophet's "Sunnah" has been a practice in spiritual-based rehabilitation in Malaysia and many other Muslim countries such as Indonesia and Brunei are incorporated in TC. In addition, program such as daily morning and departmental meetings also discussed daily, weekly and monthly religious programs; maintenance of the mosque is incorporated into the job function and specific budget and time were allocated for religious practices. Clients who do not perform their religious duties will be subjected to queries by both staffs and other clients. Counseling and penalty was imposed for recalcitrant. Studies in Malaysia found that clients readily accept religious inputs in the program, as it will be a part of their life outside the rehabilitation center. For those who are not religiously inclined, rejections are also evident. Encounter group in TC helps them to discover these rejections. NonMuslim are provided with their own place of worship and religious teachings in accordance to their beliefs, however are invited to interact in Islamic religious program that do not involve worshipping, because it focusses on common good life values. In conclusion, the of Islamic practices and values in TC has shown a positive effect on Muslim clients undergoing substance use treatment in Malaysia