Quality measurers of therapeutic communities for substance dependence: an international collaborative study survey in Latin America

Abstract

BackgroundIn Latin America, substance related disorders are highly prevalent and one of the treatment strategies is the Therapeutic Communities (TCs), however, in Latin America there is scarce data about this treatment strategies, their quality, drop-out rates and patient satisfaction.MethodsBased on a previous study in 5 Latin American countries, the TCs who had a score equal or higher than 9 according to the De Leon criteria which are some fundamental items that the TCs should meet, were selected to carry out a descriptive and retrospective study of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the TCs.ResultsData from 58 TCs in 5 countries were included, with a sample of 1414 patients interviewed, of which most were single men, with no hospitalization history in a therapeutic community. Marijuana was the most commonly substance used in the 30 days prior to hospitalization, with 78% of interviewees referring alcohol consumption in the last 6 months and an average onset of psychoactive substances at 16 years of age. A 79% of the patients interviewed perceived some improvement during their stay in the TCs. The less fulfilled Quality Indicators by the TCs were “Requesting a professional qualification to former addicts that belonged to the program” and “Work as part of the therapeutic program”. Among the reasons for discharge found in the database, 44% were due to therapeutic discharge with fulfillment of the treatment plan and 44% withdraws.ConclusionThe user satisfaction with TCs, in terms of infrastructure and quality are quite high, as the fulfillment of essential quality items, however, the follow up information to evaluate effectiveness of the treatment is poor or in some cases unknown.

A phenomenological study of addiction recovery at a model drug abuse center, Social Welfare Department, Punjab, Pakistan

“…Research has suggested that individuals who availed of the services of therapeutic communities showed a significant outcome of quitting substance use and they have improved psychosocial functioning (Vanderplasschen et al, 2013). Another evidence-based research has suggested that the patients (79%) who stayed in therapeutic communities have reported positive improvement in them revealing that these services are working (Gómez-Restrepo et al, 2017). However, the stay of patients at the rehabilitation center was based on medicinal treatment only.…”

“…Unlike this study, world experience shows that the role of the social worker in recovery is crucial (Daley and Feit, 2013) as one needs to make sure that the recovering person does not hook up again with the same peers who led him to addiction and that she or he receives family support; even families need support because a breadwinner’s addiction might leave a family economically, emotionally, and socially devastated (Kourgiantakis et al, 2021; Lander et al, 2013); community outreach plays an important role as studies show us (Gómez-Restrepo et al, 2017; Vanderplasschen et al, 2013).…”

Quality of Life in Drug-dependent Adults: a systematic review

“…(8) Dentro de las sustancias de mayor consumo engloba el alcohol, cafeína, cannabis, alucinógenos, inhalantes, opioides, hipnóticos, sedantes, tabacos y estimulantes. (9) Además, representa un conflicto de interés a nivel económico, político, social e igualmente dentro de los factores más predisponentes para que se desencadene esta problemática son los efectos psicosociales, los mismo que engloban, desde enfermedades con alteraciones a nivel molecular y celular, accidentes o situaciones relacionadas a su entorno familiar. (10,11) El estudio tiene la finalidad de recopilar información acerca de la calidad de vida de adictos a sustancias psicoactivas y las dificultades de adaptación a su entorno dado que no se han realizado previamente indagaciones, es de mayor énfasis en adultos ya que representan un grupo vulnerable para el consumo de sustancias ilícitas por diversos que pueden presentarse a corto o largo plazo.…”