Outcome Evaluation of Therapeutic Community Model in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Research Center for Health Services Management, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Kerman Social Security Organization, Kerman, Iran

3 Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background
Evaluation of treatment programs in addiction field is a prerequisite to improve the quality of care. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Therapeutic Community (TC) program in Iran.
 
Methods
Individuals who had voluntarily enrolled in the TC center within a period of seven years, from early 2005 to late 2011, entered the study. Those who successfully completed the 14-week residential course were considered as ‘completers’. They were subsequently called in for urine test and interviews using Maudsley Addiction Profile. Urine test was conducted to determine if they were positive for heroin, opium, methadone, methamphetamine, bupronorphine, hashish, and tramadol.
 
Results
A number of 378 individuals with mean (± SD) age of 32.5 ± 7.8 enrolled in the TC program during the study period, 240 individuals of whom completed the 14 weeks course (69.0%). At the end of the sixth year, 22% of the participants were in abstinence. Physical and mental health in abstainers proved to be of better conditions than those of non-abstainers (P<0.05).  
 
Conclusion
Considering the TC outcome in other countries, it seems that TC maintains an acceptable effectiveness in Iran. Prospective controlled studies are warranted to investigate the outcomes in more details.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Received Date: 27 April 2013
  • Revised Date: 10 June 2013
  • Accepted Date: 16 June 2013
  • First Published Date: 18 August 2013
  • Published Date: 18 August 2013

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