NCJ Number
154671
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1995) Pages: 49-56
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes Amity, a treatment community (TC) for women and children that provides long-term residential treatment for addicted pregnant women and women with children.
Abstract
Amity is a nonprofit TC based in Tucson, Ariz. It has been providing substance-abuse treatment services since 1969. In 1981 under the direction of a new female director of programs, Amity's 18-month TC put women's issues and needs at the center of the program's efforts. Some changes included increasing the ratio of women to men in treatment; increasing the number of female recovering staff/demonstrators or role models; and adding groups, seminars, retreats, and workshops that focused on women's issues (emotional safety, building female friendships, molestation, rape, abortion, prostitution, and children). In 1985 a small group of children came to live with their mothers in treatment. Amity currently has 65 women and 50 children living together in treatment on a 23-acre ranch. Descriptive data, including demographic information and data on violence, are presented in this article. Preliminary outcome data are detailed, comparing drop out and treatment completion on such variables as alcohol and other drug use, rearrest, employment, child custody, and involvement in support groups. A pattern of behavior that involves experiences in violent episodes and alcohol and other drug use is identified and discussed. Suggestions are offered for future research. 40 references