Effective factors of addiction treatment communities in Peru, Nicaragua and Czechia
Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities
ISSN: 0964-1866
Article publication date: 5 March 2021
Issue publication date: 3 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the effective factors that influence the treatment of drug addiction in therapeutic communities (TCs) and to determine its essential elements in the Peruvian, Nicaraguan and Czech context.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative data were collected during semi-structured interviews with inpatients/clients of seven TCs based in Peru (Takiwasi), Nicaragua (Centro de Especialiades en Adicciones, Centro de Rehabilitación del Alcohólico y Adicto a Otras Drogas and Albergue de Miembros Adictos en Recuperación) and the Czech Republic (Renarkon, Sejrek and Kladno-Dubi). All 90 interviews were manually transcribed, and content analysis was performed. Codes were created using the grounded theory method.
Findings
The effective factors of TC, treatment in Peru, Nicaragua and Czechia are identical in conditions such as the presence of a personal therapist, the use of psychotherapy and the importance of group cohesion. In Peru, the administration of medicinal plants and diet was perceived as a principal part of the treatment. Nicaraguan TCs were specific for practicing 12 steps. In Czechia, an emphasis is put on the therapeutic program, workshops and leisure activities. Spirituality and religion play a main role in the Peruvian and Nicaraguan TCs only.
Originality/value
The current study presents a unique insight into the factors considered effective by inpatients/clients of TCs in different socio-cultural contexts.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The data for this paper were collected and processed thanks to the financial support from the project “Innovation of the Course Development Anthropology” (ID: IN3200261/1106/317). This project was supported by Mendel University in Brno.The authors thank all former or current directors and therapists of TCs, where the research was conducted: Bc. Jan Sobotka from Sejrek, Mgr. Jana Mirkova from Kladno-Dubi, Mgr. Aneta Kalusova from Renarkon, Luisa Telleria, Javier Ley and David Stadthagen González from CEA, Rolando Guevarra from CARA, David Espinoza from AMAR and Dr. Jacques Mabit from Takiwasi.The contribution of all the students who helped with the data collection and transcription, Ing. Wanda Vozaryova, Ing. Karolina Ticha and Ing. Kristina Mikulova, is also appreciated. Finally, the authors thank all the informants for their selfless participation in this research.Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest.
Citation
Horák, M., Somerlikova, K., Kocarova, R., Verter, N., Aldama Gonzalez, H.S. and Cruz de Souza Tronco, M. (2021), "Effective factors of addiction treatment communities in Peru, Nicaragua and Czechia", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 42 No. 1, pp. 43-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-06-2020-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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