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Therapeutic communities: what are the retention rates?
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|January 1, 1984
Summary
This study reveals predictable dropout patterns in therapeutic communities (TCs), with most clients leaving within three months. Understanding these retention rates aids program management and treatment planning.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Research
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Therapeutic communities (TCs) are crucial for addiction treatment.
- Systematic investigation of retention in TCs is lacking.
- Understanding dropout patterns is vital for treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate retention rates in therapeutic communities.
- To clarify the temporal pattern of dropout.
- To assess the predictability of retention for program management.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of retention data from seven traditional long-term TCs (February-August 1979).
- Examination of admission and dropout patterns, including readmissions.
- Calculation of 12-month retention rates and survivor rates.
Main Results:
- 12-month retention rates varied from 4% to 21% across programs.
- Dropout was highest within the first 14 days, with most occurring within 3 months.
- Longer treatment duration significantly increased the likelihood of continued retention.
Conclusions:
- Retention patterns in TCs are orderly and predictable.
- Findings have utility for program management and treatment planning.
- Further research is needed to explain the phenomenon of retention itself.