Therapeutic Community Alternative (From Exploring the Alcohol and Drug Crime Link - Society's Response, P 93-102, 1986, R A Bush, ed. - See NCJ-102892)

• NCJ Number: 102898
• Author(s): A Biven; D Benton
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper describes the drug treatment program of the Buttery Therapeutic Community in New South Wales, Australia, and suggests how its principles can be applied to inmate drug treatment programs.

Abstract

State 1 of the Buttery treatment program teaches residents about addiction and leads them to face their own addiction, its consequences for their lives, and the possibility of change. State 2 guides residents in an analysis of old patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that related or led to their drug abuse. The first stage requires a minimum of 4 weeks, and the second stage usually requires 3 to 4 months. Stage 3 (a minimum of 8 weeks) involves the residents assuming more responsibility in the Buttery community while maintaining personal responsibility for managing thoughts, feelings, and actions. Stage 4 extends responsibility to living in the community. The application of these stages in a prison requires assessment and detoxification facilities, drug and alcohol education groups, self-help groups and access to drug and alcohol counselors, and therapeutic communities within the prison system.