Comparison of Residential and Therapeutic Community Centers in Preventing Substance Abuse Recurrence and Reducing Self-destructive Behaviors of Substance Users

BACKGROUND: Substance abusers show extensive self-destructive behavior due to the nature of the disorder and chronic and recurrence conditions. Various plans are presented for treating substance abuse. The purpose of this study is to compare the residential and therapeutic community (TC) centers in preventing substance abuse recurrence and reducing self-destructive behaviors of substance abusers. METHODS: The statistical population was all the substance abusers who referred to TC and residential centers that were under the supervision of Welfare Organization of North Khorasan Province, Iran. Five centers were selected by cluster random sampling method. The data colleting tools were self-reporting questionnaires of Resuscitation Predictor Scoring Scale (RPS Scale) and Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) filled out by patients who were staying in treatment for minimum of two weeks. FINDINGS: There was no significant difference between two treatment methods in terms of reducing tendency to use substance. Also in terms of reducing self-destructive behavior, TC was more effective than residential treatment. CONCLUSION: Considering the positive consequences of TC, motivational programs need to be established in order to increase the longevity of substance abusers in treatment.