RESUMO
AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the substance-use history of young people in a rehabilitation center in Berlin with a therapeutic community structure, their thoughts about the rehabilitation process, and the evaluations of the center's employees. METHODS: The study used interviews with the young people in the rehabilitation process and the professionals working in the institution as well as observation studies over a period of three-months. A total of 23 people participated in the study, including 13 young people in the rehabilitation process with a history of substance use and 10 professionals working at the institution. The researchers used a qualitative research method along with a three-month observation study. RESULTS: After the interviews, 4 main themes and 5 sub-themes were identified among the young people with a substance-use history, and 4 main themes and 4 sub-themes were identified for the employees. CONCLUSION: It was determined that a well-structured rehabilitation center has positive psychological, social, cognitive, and behavioral effects on young people with a history of substance use.