NCJ Number
182715
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 1997 Pages: 341-366
Date Published
1997
Length
26 pages
Annotation
After describing Passages, a day drug treatment center based on therapeutic-community (TC) methods, this article presents findings from an evaluation of Passages.
Abstract
The Passages approach uses a recovery-oriented perspective in which methadone is used to facilitate the recovery process. Differences between passages and traditional TCs include placing a greater emphasis on outreach and advocacy, reduction in the intensity of interactions, and more flexibility in the phases of treatment. The nonresidential nature of the program has given rise to the development of several innovations, including the Client Action Plan and the Passages Fellowship, designed to integrate individual and group goals and ensure sustained influence beyond the official hours of contact. Passages, like all TC programs, seeks to develop a culture in which clients learn through a mutual self-help process to foster change in themselves and others. Preliminary evaluation findings for over 500 research participants show greater differential improvement in drug-risk behavior and psychological status for the Passages clients who remained 6 months in the program compared to non-Passages clients. Although awaiting controlled studies, the current study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating methadone maintenance and TC-oriented day treatment in methadone clinics; and it provides evidence for the effectiveness of the Passages program in reducing risk behavior and improving psychological functioning among seriously dysfunctional substance abusers. 5 tables, 2 figures, and 24 references