CODEPENDENCY AND FAMILY COHESION AND ADAPTABILITY - CHANGES DURING TREATMENT IN A THERAPEUTIC-COMMUNITY

Codependency is a significant factor in the understanding of addiction to psychoactive substances. The present study examined changes in the level of codependency and perceived family relationships of drug-usin g residents in the three therapeutic communities in Israel in the cour se of their treatment. The findings indicate significant changes in bo th the level of codependency and the residents' perceptions of their f amily relationships between the beginning and the reentry stages of th eir treatment. On the other hand, no significant associations were fou nd between their level of codependency and their perceptions of their family relationships. The findings are discussed in relation to the na ture of addiction, the family processes, the treatment in the therapeu tic community, and the addicted person's perseverance in that communit y.