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The therapeutic community and behavioral science.
1Therapeutic Communities of America (TCA), Washington, DC.
The International Journal of the Addictions
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Therapeutic communities (TCs) effectively rehabilitate substance abusers using behavioral science. This paper bridges social psychology and self-help by presenting TCs as a unique behavioral science model for human services.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Social Psychology
- Human Services
Background:
- Therapeutic communities (TCs) are a powerful, yet under-recognized, approach to substance abuse rehabilitation.
- TCs evolved outside mainstream mental health and medical fields, functioning as a self-help phenomenon.
- They uniquely apply behavioral science principles in a human service context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To bridge the gap between social psychological theories and self-help concepts.
- To present the therapeutic community (TC) as a distinct behavioral science model.
- To highlight the application of behavioral science in substance abuse rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- Exposition of the therapeutic community (TC) model.
- Analysis of TC principles through a behavioral science lens.
- Literature review connecting social psychology and self-help concepts.
Main Results:
- Therapeutic communities (TCs) demonstrate a unique application of behavioral science.
- The TC model integrates self-help principles with structured behavioral interventions.
- A conceptual framework is provided to understand TCs within behavioral science.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic communities (TCs) offer a robust model for substance abuse rehabilitation.
- Understanding TCs through behavioral science enhances their integration into human services.
- Bridging social psychology and self-help concepts clarifies the TC's efficacy.