Outcome Evaluation of Therapeutic Community Model in Iran

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 ۲۰۰۵ to late ۲۰۱۱, entered the study. Those who successfully completed the ۱۴-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 ۳۷۸ individuals with mean (± SD) age of ۳۲.۵ ± ۷.۸ enrolled in the TC program during the study period, ۲۴۰ individuals of whom completed the ۱۴ weeks course (۶۹.۰%). At the end of the sixth year, ۲۲% of the participants were in abstinence. Physical and mental health in abstainers proved to be of better conditions than those of non-abstainers (P<۰.۰۵).     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:

Outcome Study , Evaluation , Substance Abuse Treatment