Aftercare in Therapeutic Communities

Abstract

Relapse is the rule across all treatment approaches. However, evidence shows that treatment gains can be maintained and the recovery process sustained with continued aftercare programming beyond that of primary treatment. This paper discusses aftercare in the context of therapeutic community (TC) treatment. The initial section briefly reviews general considerations and distinctions concerning relapse and aftercare; the remainder outlines the TC approach to aftercare. [Translations are provided; see the International Abstracts at the end of this issue.]