"Don't You Understand That We Are Punishing You for Your Own Good?": Attitudes of Women With Substance Use Disorder to Punitive and Therapeutic Methods in Closed Communities.

The growing numbers of women with substance use disorder (SUD) and the resulting establishment of dedicated treatment and rehabilitation services have spawned a rich literature on the etiology of addiction among women, their therapy needs and the effectiveness of the treatments they receive. Nevertheless, very few studies have examined the punitive methods applied to women with SUD as part of their treatment. This study examines the positions of thirteen Israeli women with SUD regarding punishments meted out in closed therapeutic communities (TCs), and their experienced short- and long-term implications. The findings suggest ambivalence toward the harsh treatment and punishment in the communities, and to their negative repercussions for the clients' mental condition after their release. We conclude that the methods of treatment and punishment in these settings must be changed and based on the clients' strengths and empowerment. Punishments should be meted out in a proportional way, and as a last resource.

The processes and context of innovation in mental healthcare: Oxfordshire as a case study.

This article introduces the four following articles and the Classic Text. They describe the development of a sequence of innovative local mental health services in Oxfordshire, and explore the processes of innovation, led by the humane pragmatism practised by Dr Bertram Mandelbrote, who was Physician Superintendent at Littlemore Hospital in Oxford from 1959 to 1988. The articles describe emerging patterns of therapeutic community practice, and trace the events leading to a set of discrete service developments outside the hospital. Together, they suggest a positive role for chance in these developments, and a focus on the then prevailing national and local regulatory culture. The Classic Text by David Millard provides an overview of the origins of the therapeutic community movement.

The role of the admission phase in the Italian treatment setting: A research on individuating shared practices in psychotropic substance users' communities.

There are various and diversified ways of admission of a substance user into a therapeutic community. When these ways result from actions that are inconsistent with the general objective of the service, they may lead to adverse outcomes that substantially impact both therapeutic interventions efficacy and services efficiency. Consequences are multiple, concerning the substance user, other users of the service, professionals working at the service, and the center's relationships with the service network to which the center belongs. This study aims to define and share major interactive and organizational problems concerning the admission process at CEAL accredited structures and to define and standardize a protocol of procedures aimed at managing and supervising the admission process, through specific and commonly agreed indicators. The research was carried out according to the focus group methodology and involved sixty directors of various health communities offering residential services for substance use treatment. The research was guided by a focus group moderator. The research has made it possible to identify the biases and errors in the admission process and selected those practices shared by the therapeutic communities and conducive to generating positive outcomes. The findings in the definition of a procedure, complete with precise indicators that are applicable across the therapeutic communities and to the shared activities that constitute and are conducive to the success of the admission process.

Estado, comunidades terapêuticas e neoliberalismo: um estudo sobre a política de drogas no Brasil / State, therapeutic communities and neoliberalism: a study on drug policy in Brazil

A partir das mudanças correntes na política de drogas brasileira, que incentivam a expansão de instituições denominadas Comunidades Terapêuticas (CTs) ­ unidades destinadas ao acolhimento de pessoas que fazem uso de drogas ­, tem-se feito cada vez mais necessários estudos sobre o tema. Diante do entendimento de que, para entender a inserção das CTs no Estado, é preciso expandir o olhar e complexificar a questão, identificamos a importância de uma discussão que aborde o modo de funcionamento do neoliberalismo em seus vieses de organização estatal e social. Por essa razão, este trabalho tem como objetivo ­ por meio de um estudo qualitativo e documental ­ identificar as afinidades entre o avanço da racionalidade neoliberal e a lógica de funcionamento das Comunidades Terapêuticas no Brasil. Para isso, trabalhamos com os fundamentos políticos do neoliberalismo, entendendo-o como uma racionalidade política que altera todos os aspectos da vida; identificamos os fundamentos das CTs e a relação dessas instituições com o Estado brasileiro por meio da análise de legislações; e discutimos, partindo da análise documental realizada nos jornais O Globo e Folha de São Paulo e em documentos oficiais, o cenário de alianças, disputas e discursos políticos que, ao se afinarem com os fundamentos neoliberais, possibilitaram a expansão das CTs. No que tange às afinidades encontradas, destacamos dois momentos políticos importantes: o primeiro, ainda sob o mandato de Dilma Rousseff (PT), entre 2011 e 2016, apresenta, principalmente, um discurso pluralista neoliberal aliado à ideia de liberdade negativa e à soberania compartilhada do Estado; o segundo ­ pós-impeachment, em 2016 ­ é de incremento aos fundamentos supracitados com a formação de uma plutocracia em defesa de uma moral conservadora aliada ao discurso de responsabilização individual e ao esvaziamento dos espaços públicos de discussão. Todos os fundamentos encontrados demonstram não só a afinidade entre a expansão neoliberal e as CTs como também o derretimento dos princípios da democracia. A partir desta análise, espera-se que este estudo possa qualificar e dar subsídios para a construção de políticas de saúde de caráter público destinadas a usuários de substâncias psicoativas que se sustentem a partir de uma lógica democrática.

Since the changes in the Brazilian drug policy are stimulating the growth of Therapeutic Communities (TCs) ­ residential units which offer care to drug users ­, studies on the subject prove to be needed. To understand the close relationship between the TCs and public policies, it is necessary to expand our debate, hence we will recognize the importance of a study that analyzes how neoliberalism works. That said, this thesis aims to identify ­ through qualitative study and documental analysis ­ the likeness between neoliberal rationality and TCs' operation. To achieve that, we have discussed the neoliberalism political foundations, understanding it as political rationality that changes the surroundings of life; we have identified the TCs foundations and their connection with the Brazilian legislation; through the documental analysis we have discussed, through the brazilian newspapers O Globo and Folha de São Paulo, as well as official documents, the alliances, disputes, and political discourses that, together with the neoliberal foundations, enabled the growth of TCs. In addition to that, we have highlighted two important political marks. The first ­ situated in Dilma Rousseff's (PT) presidential term (2011-2016) ­ presents a neoliberal pluralist discourse allied with the idea of negative liberty and the shared sovereignty of the State. The second ­ which took place after Dilma's impeachment, in 2016 ­ introduces, in addition to the above foundations, the formation of a plutocracy that defends a conservative morality allied with the discourse of individual accountability and the emptying of public spaces for discussion. All the foundations we found have shown not only the affinity between neoliberal and the TCs growth, but also the undoing of democracy. We expect this discussion to qualify and offer subsidies for the construction of public health policies for drug users that are sustained in democratic foundations.

Inpatient Institutional Care: The Forced Social Environment.

The landscape of mental health recovery is changing; there have been calls for a shift from the clinical expertise being the dominant voice within mental healthcare towards a more personalised and collaborative service that supports those in need of mental healthcare to define what recovery is for the individual. Within this new recovery movement, there has been a recognition of the importance of the social environment in which individuals are situated and the relationship of this to mental health and wellbeing. Included in this is the importance of an individual's role within society and the ways in which knowledge, such as experts by experience, can hold an important value. The argument then, is that social connectedness forms part of the recovery journey and that relationships can help us develop or re-connect with who we are in powerful ways. Such a view has only been strengthened by the recent and ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Within the UK, discussions of the importance of our wellbeing have become commonplace within the context of restricted social contact. With this heightened awareness of how the social contributes to wellbeing, it is important to consider the environments in which those in receipt of mental healthcare are situated. One of which is institutionalised care, where it is commonplace to restrict social contact. For example, by virtue of being within a locked environment, individuals' freedom of movement is often non-existent and thus contacts with those not residing or working within the institution is restricted. While such restrictions may be deemed necessary to protect the individual's mental health, such environments can be unintentionally toxic. Data are presented from an ethnography that was conducted within an inpatient forensic mental health hospital in the UK to highlight the problematic social environment which some individuals experience. Key interpersonal issues are presented, such as, trust, racism, the threat of physical violence and bullying that was experienced by staff and residents at the hospital. Consideration is given to the coping strategies enacted by residents and the pathologising of such behaviour. The consequences on interpersonal wellbeing are explored.

Providing Treatment in a Prison-Based Therapeutic Community for Those Who Have Committed Sexual Offences.

This article explores some of the difficulties inherent in managing risk in those who have committed sexual or other violent offences and how this may impact on their ability to re-integrate into the community. It discusses the work undertaken at HMP Grendon, a prison-based therapeutic community (TC), to address these difficulties and help residents develop a pro-social lifestyle starting in custody and continuing on release. The article aims to describe how the TC model offers a containing and adaptive environment, and how this can provide opportunities to address offence-related behaviour, which is not always possible in other prison settings. Furthermore, it describes some of the difficulties inherent in undertaking work of this nature, in the need for an accurate understanding of the relevant areas of risk, and the tensions developing a therapeutic relationship with individuals with complex needs. Methods of assessment of risk and need are discussed, and how they are used in a collaborative manner to have the most accurate picture of what will help residents to maintain their pro-social lifestyle on release.

In-Treatment Changes in Quality of Life-Related Variables in Therapeutic Communities for Cocaine Abusers: Are These Changes Associated with Clinical Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored changes in quality of life during the first three months of admission to a therapeutic community for addictions. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between these changes and treatment outcomes at discharge. METHODS: We undertook a prospective longitudinal study of 142 cocaine-dependent patients treated at a therapeutics community. All of these patients reached the 3-month evaluation and were subsequently followed until discharge. All participants completed the following measures: Health-Related Quality of Life for Drug Abusers Test; Beck Depression Inventory; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Opiate Treatment Index; Dual Diagnosis and Discharge Checklist. RESULTS: At the 3-month assessment, scores on the Health-Related Quality of Life for Drug Abusers Test had increased significantly (Cohen's d: 0.92), while scores on the Opiate Treatment Index (Cohen's d: 0.86) and Beck Depression Inventory (Cohen's d: 0.20) scales both decreased significantly. A higher proportion of the patients considered to have achieved "clinically relevant" treatment outcomes at discharge versus those without clinically relevant outcomes were considered "recovered" according to the Reliable Change Index. CONCLUSIONS: An improvement in quality of life-related variables from baseline to the 3-month assessment was associated with better outcomes at discharge from the therapeutic community. The findings of this study may help us to optimise therapeutic interventions.

Factors associated with crack-cocaine early initiation: a Brazilian multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Crack-cocaine dependence is a serious public health issue, related to several psychiatric and psychosocial problems. Crack-cocaine users are usually embedded in a context of great social vulnerability, often associated with violence, poverty, family conflict and easy and early access to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled a consecutive sample of 577 patients admitted to 20 therapeutic communities located in Southern Brazil, between September 2012 and September 2013. A structured interview assessed life-time exposure to risk and protective factors for drug use, such as parental monitoring in childhood, deviant behaviors and peer pressure. RESULTS: Presence of family conflict (p = 0.002), maltreatment (p = 0.016), and deviant behavior prior to age 15 in a bivariate analysis predicted an earlier age of crack-cocaine initiation, whereas adolescents experiencing parental monitoring during adolescence started use later (p < 0.001). In the multivariate model, perceptions related to ease of access of illicit drugs (marijuana: p = 0.028, 95% CI = - 3.81, - 0.22; crack-cocaine: p < 0.001, 95% CI = - 7.40, - 4.90), and deviant behavior (threatening someone with a gun: p = 0.028, 95% CI = - 2.57, - 0.14) remained independent predictors of early age of crack-cocaine initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Early onset of crack-cocaine use seems to be associated with exposure to family conflict, easy access to drugs and deviant behavior. Treatment and preventive programs should take these factors into account when designing and implementing community interventions.

From Treatment to Containment to Enterprise: An Ethno-history of Therapeutic Communities in Puerto Rico, 1961-1993.

Unpaid work is now a central therapy in Puerto Rican therapeutic communities, where substance users reside and seek to rehabilitate each other, often for years at a time. Once a leading treatment for addiction in mainland United States, therapeutic communities were scaled back in the 1970s after they lost federal endorsement. They continue to flourish in Puerto Rico for reasons that have less to do with their curative powers than with their malleability as multi-purpose social enterprises and their historical co-option by state, market and family actors who have deployed them for a variety of purposes. Their endurance from the 1960s to the neoliberal present obliges us to recognize their capacities as what Mizruchi calls abeyance mechanisms whereby 'surplus' populations, otherwise excluded from labor and home, are absorbed into substitute livelihoods. Having initially emerged as a low-cost treatment, in a context of mass unemployment and prison-overcrowding they now thrive as institutions of containment and informal enterprise.

Building the community: Endogenous network formation, homophily and prosocial sorting among therapeutic community residents.

BACKGROUND: Researchers have begun to consider the ways in which social networks influence therapeutic community (TC) treatment outcomes. However, there are few studies of the way in which the social networks of TC residents develop over the course of treatment. METHODOLOGY: We used a Temporal Exponential Random Graph Model (TERGM) to analyze changes in social networks totaling 320,387 peer affirmations exchanged between residents in three correctional TCs, one of which serves men and two of which serve both men and women. The networks were analyzed within weekly and monthly time-frames. RESULTS: Within a weekly time-frame residents tended to close triads. Residents who were not previously connected tended not to affirm the same peers. Residents showed homophily by entry cohort. Other results were inconsistent across TC units. Within a monthly time-frame participants showed homophily by graduation status. They showed the same patterns of triadic closure when connected, tendency not to affirm the same peers when not connected and homophily by cohort entry time as in a weekly time frame. CONCLUSIONS: TCs leverage three human tendencies to bring about change. The first is the tendency of cooperators to work together, in this case in seeking graduation. The second is the tendency of people to build clusters. The third is homophily, in this case by cohort entry time. Consistent with TC clinical theory, residents spread affirmations to a variety of peers when they have no previous connection. This suggests that residents balance network clustering with a concern for the community as a whole.

Predictive Outcome Validity of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in Substance Abuse Patients Treated in Therapeutic Communities.

Objective: The use of psychoactive substances has been one of the most important global public health problems over the last few decades. Among the problems associated with substance use, dual diagnosis is one of the most relevant. This study aims to investigate the predictive validity of the GHQ-28 (General Health Questionnaire-28; "probable psychiatric cases") in relation to poor treatment outcome measured by (a) "early treatment dropout" and (b) "nonclinically relevant improvement at discharge." Methods: A longitudinal prospective design was used. A sample of 219 substance use disorder patients, who received treatment in a therapeutic community, was selected. Patients were assessed using the GHQ-28 and the outcome variables were registered. A hierarchical logistic regression model was performed to identify factors independently associated with the outcome measure ("early treatment dropout" and "nonclinically relevant improvement at discharge"). Results: Of the total sample, 79 subjects (36%) were considered "early treatment dropouts" and 56.6% (102) presented a "nonclinically relevant improvement at discharge." The two hierarchical logistic regression results show that being classified as a "probable psychiatric case" was significantly and directly associated with "early treatment dropout" and "nonclinically relevant improvement at discharge," as a poor in-treatment outcome indicator. Conclusions: The results of this study support the notion that the probable psychiatric cases identified by the GHQ-28 scale have a greater probability of "early treatment dropout" and have a greater probability of "nonclinically relevant improvement in discharge" of the therapeutic community. These data indicate that GHQ-28 is a suitable clinical instrument for predicting dropout and treatment effect in residential substance use disorder treatment.

The Development of Instruments to Detect Indicators of Behavioral Changes in Therapeutic Communities: A Clinical Case Study.

Clinicians involving in the treatment of adolescent patients should use a valid and efficient psychological assessment. The evaluation of the efficiency in clinical interventions may provide helpful information in terms of cost-effectiveness and may contribute to increase the quality and efficacy of the public services. Despite the importance of clinical and therapeutic interventions, we may observe several aspects limiting the chance in using them. For example, the neuropsychiatry context due to heterogeneous users (such as children and adolescents) makes the replicability of clinical trials difficult in terms of results. Thus, efficient clinical programs and interventions-potentially able to identify specific and long-term effects-need to be defined. In clinical contexts (i.e., therapeutic communities). It should be a priority both to manage aspects of emergency/urgency we may observe in adolescents, and to focus on those aspects placed on a timing dimension. The current study reports a description of innovative measures developed specifically for assessing adolescent patients and for tracking psychological features and behavioral changes. Furthermore, a clinical case is examined by using a multimethod assessment including such innovative measures. Clinical implications are discussed. The development and sharing of "assessment cultures" among professionals should represent a priority in improving the effectiveness of therapeutic communities.

Estratégias de enfrentamento do craving em dependentes de crack em tratamento em Comunidades Terapêuticas* / Estrategias de afrontamiento en craving de dependiente de crack em tratamiento en Comunidades Terapéuticas / Coping strategies of craving in crack-cocaine dependents in treatment in Therapeutic Communities

OBJETIVOS: identificar e descrever as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas perante o craving por usuários de crack que estavam em tratamento internados em Comunidades Terapêuticas. MÉTODO: a amostra foi composta por 133 homens. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Questionário sociodemográfico e rastreio do uso de drogas, Mini-Exame do Estado Mental e uma Escala de Perguntas sobre craving. A análise utilizada foi a estatística descritiva e de frequências para análise exploratória com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: os participantes relataram um predomínio da categoria Força de Vontade e de comportamento de Esquiva em resposta ao craving. CONCLUSÃO: esses resultados são importantes contribuições na compreensão do enfrentamento do craving, sinalizando a importância do trabalho da prevenção de recaídas, da família e tratamentos eficazes.

OBJECTIVES: to identify and describe the coping strategies used in the face of craving by crack-cocaine users who were under treatment in the Therapeutic Communities. METHOD: the sample consisted of 133 men. The instruments were a socio-demographic questionnaire and on drug use screening, the Mini-Mental State Examination and the scale of questions on craving. The analysis used was descriptive and frequency statistics for exploratory analysis with significance level of 5%. RESULTS: the results demonstrate a predominance of the Willpower category and Dodge in response to craving. CONCLUSION: these results are important contributions in understanding the coping of craving, signaling the importance of relapse prevention work, of the family and of effective treatments.

OBJETIVOS: el objetivo del estudio fue identificar y describir las estratégias de afrontamiento utilizadas frente al craving por consumidores de crack que estaban em tratamiento internados en Comunidades Terapéuticas. MÉTODO: la muestra consistió en 133 hombres. Los instrumentos fueron: cuestionario sociodemográfico y la detección del consumo de drogas; Mini Examen del Estado Mental y Craving Cuestionario. El análisis utilizada fue descriptiva y las estadísticas de frecuencia para el análisis exploratorio con un nivel de significación del 5%. RESULTADOS: los resultados muestran el predominio de la categoría de fuerza de voluntad y el comportamiento de Esquivar en respuesta a las ansias. CONCLUSIÓN: estos resultados son importantes contribuciones en la comprensión de la cofia antojo, lo que indica la importancia de la labor de prevención de recaídas, la familia y los tratamientos eficaces.

Propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Anomia Social en pacientes drogodependientes peruanos / Psychometric properties of the Social Anomia Scale in Peruvian drug-dependent patients

El presente estudio analiza la estructura y consistencia interna de la Escala de Anomia Social en pacientes dependientes de drogas. Se evaluaron 232 drogodependientes varones de entre 18 y 60 años de edad, pertenecientes a cuatro comunidades terapéuticas de Lima. Los resultados obtenidos señalan bajos índices de ajuste para el modelo original de Yañez (2011); no obstante, el Modelo 2 planteado replica una estructura de 17 ítems distribuidos en tres factores subyacentes. Asimismo, se obtuvo la validez discriminante y el coeficiente de Omega para los tres factores hallados así como también se realizó la medición de la invarianza factorial entre los grupos de adultos jóvenes y adultos. Los hallazgos señalan que la estructura y consistencia interna de la Escala de Anomia Social en el modelo planteado muestra características psicométricas adecuadas para su uso en contextos clínicos y estudios sociales. Palabras clave: Anomia social, drogodependientes, comunidades terapéuticas, psicometría, análisis factorial, consistencia y estructura interna, invarianza

This study analyzes the structure and internal consistency of the Social Anomia Scale in drug-dependent patients. A total of 232 male drug addicts between 18 and 60 years of age, belonging to four therapeutic communities of Lima, were evaluated. The results obtained indicate low fit indices for the original Yañez model (2011); however, the proposed Model 2 replicates a structure of 17 items distributed in three underlying factors. Likewise, the discriminant validity and the Omega coefficient were obtained for the three factors found, as well as the measurement of factor invariance between groups of young adults and adults. The findings indicate that the structure and internal consistency of the Social Anomia Scale in the proposed model shows psychometric characteristics suitable for use in clinical contexts and social studies

Comunidades terapêuticas para pessoas que fazem uso de drogas: uma política de confinamento / Therapeutic communities for druger users: an politic of confinement / Comunidades terapéuticas para personas que utilizam drogas: una politica de confinamento

Este estudo problematiza o processo terapêutico voltado às pessoas que fazem uso de drogas defendido por uma das maiores redes de comunidades terapêuticas do Brasil. Nas duas primeiras décadas dos anos 2000, as Comunidades Terapêuticas emergem e se expandem como equipamentos que criminalizam, patologizam e cristianizam pessoas que fazem uso de drogas. As Comunidades terapêuticas se caracterizam por práticas de manipulação de corpos e mortificação da vida, pela obrigatoriedade do trabalho, por uma ortopedia no conviver comunitário e pela imposição da espiritualidade como modo de vida. No contexto mais amplo das políticas de saúde mental e atenção psicossocial, as comunidades terapêuticas representam um retrocesso nas práticas derivadas das lutas antimanicomiais e antiproibicionistas.

This study discusses the therapeutic process for people who use drugs defended by one of the largest networks of therapeutic communities in Brazil. In the first two decades of the 2000s, therapeutic communities emerge and expand as equipment that criminalizes, pathologizes and Christianizes people who use drugs. The therapeutic communities are characterized by practices of manipulation of bodies and mortification of life, by the obligation of work, by an orthopedics in community life and by the imposition of spirituality as a way of life. In the policies of mental health and psychosocial care, therapeutic communities represent a setback in practices derived from the anti-asylum and anti-prohibitionist struggle.

Este estudio problematiza el proceso terapéutico oriedntado a las personas que hacen uso de drogas defendido por una de las mayores redes de comunidades terapéuticas de Brasil. En las dos primeras décadas de los años 2000, las comunidades terapéuticas emergen y se expanden como equipamientos que criminalizan, patologizan y cristianizan a las personas que hacen uso de drogas. Las comunidades terapéuticas se caracterizan por prácticas de manipulación de cuerpos y mortificación de la vida, por la obligatoriedad del trabajo, por una ortopedia en el convivir comunitario y por la imposición de la espiritualidad como modo de vida. En las políticas de salud mental y atención psicosocial, las comunidades terapéuticas representan un retroceso en las prácticas derivadas de la lucha antimanicomial y antiprohibicionista.

Therapeutic Communities In Latin America: An International Descriptive Study In Different Countries Across Latin America / Comunidades terapéuticas en Latinoamérica: un estudio descriptivo en varios países de Latinoamérica

ABSTRACT Objective: In Latin America is not known for certain the quantity or quality of therapeutic communities (TCs) available in the region. The objective of this study is to describe and quantify the quantity and quality of the existing TCs in 5 different countries. Design: A multicenter quantitative description of the TCs was conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Methods: A survey was realized through the TCs regulatory entities of each country that accepted to participate in the study. Results: Of the 285 TCs identified in the 5 countries, 176 (62%) accepted to participate in this study. The TCs quality vas evaluated according to the scoring system stablished by De Leon, finding that 70% of the facilities have scores of 11/12 or 12/12 using these criteria. We also found that the majority of the De Leon criteria are known by more than 90% of the institutions, however, the dimensions of "separation of the community" and "encounter groups between residents" were the least known with 63 and 85% respectively. The main reasons for abandonment of TCs were "not accepting the rules of the institution", "lack of money" and "not feeling comfortable with the facilities". 98% of the TCs provided services to other substance abuse problems, 94% for alcohol and 40% for other types of substances. Conclusions: The majority of the TCs identified in our sample meet the quality criteria stablished by De Leon, mostly providing services for substance abuse. However, they should put in place additional policies to improve the unfulfilled conditions and investigate the reasons for the dissatisfaction and abandonment of these institutions.

RESUMEN Objetivo: En Latinoamérica no se conoce a ciencia cierta la cantidad o la calidad de las comunidades terapéuticas disponibles en los distintos países de la región. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar y describir la cantidad y la calidad de las comunidades terapéuticas existentes en 5 países de la región. Diseño: Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico descriptivo cuantitativo de las comunidades terapéuticas en Argentina, Brasil, Colombia, México y Perú. Métodos: Mediante las entidades reguladoras de las comunidades terapéuticas de cada país, se realizó una encuesta a las que aceptaran participar en el estudio. Resultados: De las 285 comunidades terapéuticas identificadas en los 5 países, 176 (62%) aceptaron participar en el estudio. La calidad de las comunidades terapéuticas se evaluó por las puntuaciones establecidas con los criterios de De León; se encontró que el 70% de las instituciones tienen puntuaciones de 11/12 o 12/12 según estos criterios. También se encontró que cumplen la mayoría de los criterios de De León más del 90% de las instituciones; sin embargo, las dimensiones «separación de la comunidad¼ y «grupos de encuentro entre residentes¼ fueron los menos cumplidos (el 63 y el 85% de las comunidades respectivamente). Las principales razones de abandono de las comunidades terapéuticas fueron no aceptar las normas de la institución, falta de recursos económicos y no sentirse a gusto con ella. El 98% de las comunidades terapéuticas prestaban servicios para problemas de abuso de otras sustancias, el 94% para abuso de alcohol y el 40% para otros tipos de abusos. Conclusiones: La mayoría de las comunidades terapéuticas identificadas en nuestra muestra cumplen los criterios de calidad establecidos por De León, y en su gran mayoría prestan servicios para abuso de sustancias, pero deben instaurarse políticas para mejorar las condiciones no cumplidas e indagar los motivos de las disconformidades y el abandono de estas instituciones.

Therapeutic Communities In Latin America: An International Descriptive Study In Different Countries Across Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: In Latin America is not known for certain the quantity or quality of therapeutic communities (TCs) available in the region. The objective of this study is to describe and quantify the quantity and quality of the existing TCs in 5 different countries. DESIGN: A multicenter quantitative description of the TCs was conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. METHODS: A survey was realized through the TCs regulatory entities of each country that accepted to participate in the study. RESULTS: Of the 285 TCs identified in the 5 countries, 176 (62%) accepted to participate in this study. The TCs quality vas evaluated according to the scoring system stablished by De Leon, finding that 70% of the facilities have scores of 11/12 or 12/12 using these criteria. We also found that the majority of the De Leon criteria are known by more than 90% of the institutions, however, the dimensions of "separation of the community" and "encounter groups between residents" were the least known with 63 and 85% respectively. The main reasons for abandonment of TCs were "not accepting the rules of the institution", "lack of money" and "not feeling comfortable with the facilities". 98% of the TCs provided services to other substance abuse problems, 94% for alcohol and 40% for other types of substances. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the TCs identified in our sample meet the quality criteria stablished by De Leon, mostly providing services for substance abuse. However, they should put in place additional policies to improve the unfulfilled conditions and investigate the reasons for the dissatisfaction and abandonment of these institutions.

Work-Life and Well-Being in U.K. Therapeutic Prison Officers: A Thematic Analysis.

Previous research has clearly demonstrated the positive impact of therapeutic interventions on offenders' well-being. Much less is known about the impact on prison staff facilitating and delivering such interventions. We employed qualitative methodology to capture a deeper understanding of the work of therapeutic prison officers. Seven prison officers working in a U.K. Category B therapeutic community prison were interviewed about their working lives, including their own participation in therapy. Following a thematic analysis approach, key findings indicated that the physical and cultural work environment was very important to staff; the therapeutic element of their job role, although demanding, was both satisfying and rewarding; and that working in a therapeutic prison environment provided the opportunity for personal as well as professional development. We conclude that further attention should be given to the unique nature of therapeutic prison work and the positive impact it can have on well-being at work.

Social skills training for drug users under treatment: a pilot study with follow-up.

Drug abuse is associated with loss of social skills by drug users. The literature review revealed a strong need for social skills training as a strategy to assist in psychosocial rehabilitation. However, few studies to date have evaluated the results of social skills training in therapeutic communities (type of treatment often used for drug users). Therefore, the aim of the present study is to describe the results of a pilot study regarding the social skills training of drug users under treatment. This is a quasi-experimental pilot study, with pre- and post-tests and follow-up. The following assessment instruments were used for data collection: Questionnaire on Sociodemographic Data and Drug Abuse; Multidimensional Scale of Social Expression; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment. The social skills training led to a significant increase in the skills of making refusals and expressing negative affect, quality of life (psychological domain), and a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and quality of life (environment domain). The high rate of intervention adherence (81.25%; n = 13) is indicative of the benefits from therapeutic community treatment and justifies the need for further empirical research, especially in terms of protocol development.

Tratamentos ofertados em Comunidades Terapêuticas: desvelando práticas na Amazônia Ocidental / Treatment for substance abuse in Therapeutic Communities: understanding practices in Western Amazon / Tratamientos ofrecidos en comunidades terapéuticas: prácticas desvelado en el Amazonas occidental

Este artigo apresenta as atividades empregadas por Comunidades Terapêuticas (CTs) como tratamento para transtornos relacionados ao uso de substâncias psicoativas na capital de Rondônia, Porto Velho. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se um questionário estruturado, elaborado com base em pesquisas na literatura especializada e nas legislações norteadoras, aplicado em 18 instituições CTs. Os resultados evidenciaram predomínio de instituições filantrópicas em detrimento de serviços públicos; escassez de profissionais especializados; taxas elevadas de abandono do tratamento; maior oferta de atendimento para homens; terapêuticas centradas em práticas religiosas e na abstinência como meta terapêutica; ausência de critérios de ingresso, elegibilidade, alta e pós-alta; além da desarticulação com a rede de saúde mental. Por fim, estes dispositivos carecem de intervenções coordenadas que englobem desde o mapeamento e cadastro das CTs até capacitações, planejamento, avaliação e monitoramento - priorizando a eficácia dos protocolos clínicos e a oferta de serviços humanizados - tal qual devem ser quaisquer serviços de saúde (AU).

Treatment for substance abuse in Therapeutic Communities: Understanding practices in Western Amazon. This paper presents the activities employed by Therapeutic Communities (CT in Portuguese) as treatment for disorders related to psychoactive substance abuse in Porto Velho, Rôndonia. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, based on research of specialized literature and Brazilian law. Overall, 18 institutions, represented by their leaders, participated in the survey. The results showed a predominance of philanthropic institutions in detriment of public services; shortage of specialized professionals; high dropout rates; greater offer of care for men; religious activities centered on prayer and abstinence as a therapeutic goal; lack of admission, eligibility, discharge, and post-discharge criteria; as well as disarticulation with official mental-health network. Finally, these institutions lack coordinated interventions, ranging from mapping and CT registration to training, planning, evaluation and monitoring. They do not prioritize the effectiveness of clinical protocols or the provision of humanized services, as should be done by any health service (AU).

Tratamientos ofrecidos en comunidades terapéuticas: Prácticas desvelado en el Amazonas occidental Este artículo presenta las actividades empleadas por las comunidades terapéuticas (CTs) como tratamiento para los trastornos relacionados con el uso de sustancias psicoactivas en la capital de Rondonia, Porto Velho. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizó un cuestionario estructurado, elaborado sobre la base de investigaciones en la literatura especializada y en las legislaciones orientadoras, aplicadas en 18 instituciones. Los resultados mostraron un predominio de las instituciones filantrópicas en detrimento de los servicios públicos; Escasez de profesionales especializados; Altas tasas de abandono del tratamiento; Mayor provisión de atención a los hombres; Terapias centradas en las prácticas religiosas y la abstinencia como objetivo terapéutico; Ausencia de admisión, elegibilidad, altos y post-aprobación de los criterios; Además de la desarticulación con la red de salud mental. Por último, estos dispositivos carecen de intervenciones coordinadas que abarcan el mapeo y registro de CTs a capacitaciones, planificación, evaluación y seguimientopriorizando la eficacia de los protocolos clínicos y la provisión de servicios humanizados-tales Qué servicios de salud deben ser. Palabras clave: trastornos relacionados con el uso de sustancias; comunidades terapéuticas; tratamientos (AU).