Multidimensional Change in Therapeutic Communities for Addictions: The Interplay Between Participant Characteristics, Perceptions of the TC Treatment Process and Time in Treatment

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of the current study is to investigate the association between time in treatment and participants' perceptions of the treatment process in therapeutic communities (TCs) for addictions. Using a linear mixed effect model, we assessed whether the rate of participant change was related to motivation, cluster B personality traits, and psychological distress. Longitudinal data were gathered among 155 adults in 4 traditional TCs for addictions in Belgium. The results provide evidence that with time in treatment participants develop more profound perceptions regarding the TC concepts and processes of self-change, which denotes the theoretical assumption of identity change and right living in TC treatment.