The therapeutic community model in the treatment of drug dependence: its advantages and disadvantages.
There are many and varied models for the treatment of drug dependence. However, the one that has received the most acclaim in modern day psychosocial medicine is the therapeutic community model. In recent years, this model, as first espoused, has evolved, but the basic goals and principles of a therapeutic community have remained a part of many modern inpatient rehabilitation settings throughout the world. Phoenix House, situated in Johannesburg, is the only long term inpatient rehabilitation unit in Southern Africa that utilizes a therapeutic community model and it is submitted that there are certain definite advantages to the use of this approach in the treatment of drug dependence. This model, however, is not without shortcomings, and this article examines both the advantages and the shortcomings of this treatment modality as identified at Phoenix House.
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D000353:Africa, Southern; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013808:Therapeutic Community