How do residential substance abuse treatment communities differ from traditional therapeutic communities? What are the components? How does this type of treatment seek to rehabilitate and individual? Do you think this is effective? Why or why not?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Residential substance abuse treatment (RSATs) typically last 6 to 12 months and are composed of inmates in need of substance abuse treatment and whose parole dates are set to coincide with the end of the program. RSAT inmates are separated from the negativity and violence of the rest of the prison and are provided with extensive cognitive behavioral counseling and attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, as well as many other kinds of rehabilitative classes. Therapeutic communities are residential settings for drug and alcohol treatment that use the community spirit generated by the influence of peers and various group processes to help individuals overcome their addition and to develop effective social skills. Most such communities offer long-term (typically 6 to 12 months) residence in which opportunities for attitude and behavioral change operate on a hierarchical model whereby treatment stages reflect increased levels of personal insight and social responsibility. The interactions of the residents are both structured and unstructured, but always designed influence attitudes and behaviors associated with substance abuse. Answer will be subjective.