DYNAMIC RECOVERY - COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES IN HOMELESS SHELTERS FOR MEN

The Dynamic Recovery Project examined relationships between homelessne ss, substance abuse, and recovery, and investigated the effectiveness of the therapeutic community (TC) treatment model in helping homeless drug users move toward stable, drug-free living. This project compared two short-term TCs that were situated within pre-existing homeless sh elters with a clean and sober dormitory. In a separate condition, peer counselors and staff were provided additional training in TC philosop hy and practice to reduce program dropout. Dramatic decreases in drug and alcohol use at follow-up were verified by urinalysis. Length of ti me in treatment rather than specific program accounted for decreased a lcohol and drug use. Important decreases in posttreatment criminality for both treatment programs were documented. The comparison group, sta rting with low criminality, experienced smaller, nonsignificant decrea ses unrelated to type of program or time in treatment Major declines i n Beck Depression Scores were evident, but were unrelated to groups or time in treatment. Training had no measurable impact on client retent ion. or outcomes and there were no significant differences between TCs and the comparison group on posttreatment drug use, criminality, or d epression. This report documents that short-term therapeutic communiti es can be successfully implemented in public shelters for homeless men . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.