Treatment Outcome Evaluation in Therapeutic Communities in the Czech Republic: Changes in Methamphetamine Use and Related Problems One Year After Discharge

Abstract

ABSTRACT The knowledge available on the effectiveness of treatment interventions for methamphetamine users in Europe remains scarce. The present study investigated the patterns of use and treatment outcomes of 176 clients, predominantly injecting methamphetamine users, in 4 residential therapeutic communities in the Czech Republic. Most of the clients were multiple drug users. Overall, methamphetamine users showed favorable outcomes with significant improvements in their substance misuse, injecting, health and criminal behavior at 1 year after discharge from treatment. Findings suggest that many methamphetamine users are able to complete the treatment and achieve considerable improvements.