The Therapeutic Community: An International Perspective

Abstract

The Therapeutic Community (TC) for drug-free substance abuse treatment can be found in more than 65 countries around the world, reflecting the global scope of substance abuse and addiction. This article describes some of the historical developments from an American-based to an international treatment model with professional associations on every continent. Possibly the two most important TC principles are outlined; i.e., the role of the treatment community as the primary agent of client change and the distinct therapeutic structure. While these two principles define the TC and can be found in programs around the world, the model leaves sufficient room to adapt practices and interventions to the respective culture. Examples of cultural adaptations are briefly described in this article.

The effect of religiosity during childhood and adolescence on drug consumption patterns in adults addicted to crack cocaine

“…In addition, we assessed the possible mechanisms involved in the relationship between religiosity and spirituality and crack cocaine use patterns. The therapeutic communities treatment model in the field of chemical dependency is available in most countries, 17 with spirituality an essential factor in its approach. 18 …”

Motivation Change in Therapeutic Community Residential Treatment

“…Models included the time-invariant predictor of readiness for treatment, which significantly predicted initial treatment motivation but not the rate of motivation change over time.The therapeutic community (TC) model is widely practiced in more than 65 countries as one of the most commonly applied modalities of substance abuse treatment (Bunt, Muehlbach, & Moed, 2008;De Leon, 2000). The TC model reduces both drug use and recidivism, while increasing employment rates, social and emotional functioning, and other variables related to health and quality of life in general and to special client populations (e.g., De Leon, Sacks, Staines, & McKendrick, 2000;Hubbard, Craddock, & Anderson, 2003;Jainchill, Hawke, & Messina, 2005;Moos, Moos, & Andrassy, 1999;Simpson, Joe, & Broome, 2002).…”

Relación entre la comorbilidad psicopatológica y las variables de resultados en dependientes de cocaína tratados en comunidad terapéutica

“…La prevalencia de psicopatología en población consumidora de cocaína es elevada, oscilando entre un 30-60 % (Falck, Wang, Siegal y Carlson, 2004;Herrero, Domingo-Salvany, Brugal, Torrens e Itinere Investigators, 2008;Vergara-Moragues et al, 2012). El tratamiento de esta comorbilidad es complejo y se debe hacer desde un modelo de tratamiento integral fundamentado en el paradigma biopsicosocial, y teniendo como objetivo final lograr un cambio global en el estilo de vida de los pacientes (Bunt, Muehlbach y Moed, 2008).…”