An assessment of the needs, motivations and satisfaction of drug-dependent individuals, with and without legal problems, undergoing treatment in therapeutic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20882/adicciones.360Keywords:
Therapeutic community, assessment, needs, motivation, legal problemsAbstract
The objective is to compare drug-dependent patients undergoing treatment in therapeutic communities who have and do not have legal problems. The subjects were 107 patients being treated in 9 therapeutic communities and day centres, and they were assessed using structured interviews, questionnaires and scales to assess their needs (ASI), motivation for a change in behaviour and treatment (CMRS), psychological adjustment as perceived by patients and therapists, treatment response and user satisfaction (TPQ). Patients with legal problems show moderately higher legal, employment, drug and psychiatric problematic on the ASI. Findings showed an acceptable adaptation to treatment, a high motivation towards behavioural change and treatment and a favourable evaluation of treatment programmes among patients with legal problems. Higher external pressure for treatment was observed in these patients, and few relevant differences were found in patients without legal problems in perception and response to treatment. Therapeutic communities can be useful resources for treatment and rehabilitation of drug-dependent people with legal problems.References
Elzo, J. Alternativas terapéuticas a la prisión en delincuentes
toxicómanos. Un análisis de historias de vida. Vitoria-Gasteiz: Gobierno Vasco. 1996.
Condelli, W.S.; DeLeon, G. Fixed and Dynamic Predictors of Client Retention in Therapeutic Communities. J Subst Abuse Treatment, 1993. 10, 11-16.
Guerra, D. Addiction Severity Index: Un Índice de Severidad de la Adicción. En: Casas, M. (Ed.): Trastornos psíquicos en las toxicomanías. Barcelona: Ediciones en Neurociencias. 59-90. 1992.
DeLeon, G.; Melnick, G.; Kressel, D.; Jainchill, N. Circumstances, motivation, readiness and suitability (The CMRS Scales): Predicting retention in therapeutic community treatment. Am J Drug Alc Abuse, 1994. 20(4), 495-515.
Simpson, D.D.; Knight, K. TCU data collection forms for correctional residential treatment. Fort Worth: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioural Research. (1998) [Online]: www.ibr.tcu.edu.
Marsden, J.; Bacchus, L.; Stewart, D.; Griffiths, P.; Clarke, K.; Gossop, M.; & Strang, J. The Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire (TPQ): A brief questionnaire for assessing service satisfaction (unpublished manuscript). London: National Addiction Centre. 1998.
