AFTERCARE IN DRUG ABUSE PROGRAMING (FROM HANDBOOK ON DRUG ABUSE, 1979 BY ROBERT DUPONT AND AVRAM GOLDSTEINSEE NCJ-57805)

• NCJ Number: 57819
• Author(s): B S BROWN; R S ASHERY
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TYPE OF AFTERCARE INTERVENTION, INCLUDING SELF-HELP EFFORTS, SERVICE DELIVERY EFFORTS, AND EFFORTS ORGANIZED BY NONPROFESSIONAL AND UNIVERSITY GROUPS, ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

AFTERCARE OR CONTINUING CARE INCLUDES THOSE FORMS OF INTERVENTION WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ALLOW SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY BY THE FORMER DRUG ABUSER. SUCH EFFORTS INVOLVE A VARIETY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, (E.G., HOUSING, LEGAL AND FAMILY AID) AND ARE VIEWED AS A PRIMARY DEFENSE AGAINST RECIDIVISM. ALTHOUGH LITTLE REPORT OF AFTERCARE STRATEGIES HAS BEEN MADE, IDENTIFIABLE TYPES OF AFTERCARE INTERVENTION MAY BE EXPLORED. FIRST, SELF-HELP GROUPS HAVE BECOME A MAJOR FORCE; THEY INVOLVE GROUP SUPPORT IN THE INTEREST OF MAINTAINING CHANGED BEHAVIOR AND CONTINUING INDIVIDUAL GROWTH. MEMBERS ADHERE TO BASIC PRINCIPLES, ATTEND REGULAR MEETINGS, REAFFIRM THEIR COMMITMENT TO DESIRED BEHAVORIAL CHANGES, AND MAKE USE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF WILL, INSPIRATION AND DEMAND FOR ACTION. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH 700 CHAPTERS, VIEWS ITS PURPOSE AS BOTH A PRIMARY TREATMENT RESOURCE AND AN AFTERCARE MODALITY SERVICING RECOVERED ADDICTS. AS WITH ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, CLIENT ANONYMITY IS EMPHASIZED. THE SECOND INTERVENTION TYPE INCLUDES THE SERVICE DELIVERY COMMUNITY, OR EFFORTS BY THE DRUG TREATMENT STAFF TO PROVIDE AFTERCARE SERVICES. BECAUSE OF THE ALREADY ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIENT AND STAFF, SUCH REINTEGRATION EFFORTS ARE OFTEN FACILITATED. THIRDLY, AFTERCARE EFFORTS INCLUDE ACTIVITIES OF THE NONPROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY, INVOLVING VOLUNTEER WORK. CAREFULLY SCREENED VOLUNTEERS ARRANGE AND SUPERVISE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND OFTEN BECOME ROLE MODELS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL RETURNING TO COMMUNITY LIFE. COMMUNITY INTERVENTION ALSO INCLUDES ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES FOCUSING ON DISCRIMINATION IN THE AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING. THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE UTILITY OF DIFFERING INTERVENTIONS AS COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL PROGRAMING IS APPARENT, WITH IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS IN THE AREA OF TREATMENT, TRAINING, AND RESEARCH RESULTING. REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (LWM)