Experiences of Residents in a Therapeutic Community Model of Addiction Management at a Psychiatric Hospital

Abstract

Globally, there is a growing concern about the alarming proportions of harmful alcohol use and abuse of illicit drugs. In Ghana, the use of illegal drugs and alcohol is endemic. Therapeutic Community (TC) for Substance Used Disorders (SUDs) has been in existence for about six decades and it was introduced in Ghana about a decade ago in Pantang Mental Hospital and since 2019 at Accra Mental Hospital. However, the effectiveness of this treatment modality for drug addiction in these two institutions has not been scientifically studied; therefore, there is a need for it to be explored. This study sought to explore the experiences of clients or residents enrolled in the Therapeutic Community to unearth their impact on the residents’ journey toward recovery from drug addiction. This research adopted a qualitative study design that specifically employed the Explorative-Descriptive method. The target population for this study comprised residents who have been enrolled in the TC programme at the Pantang Mental Hospital with a sample size of 15 participants who were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide and data analysed using Colizzi’s (1978) descriptive phenomenology data analysis process. The study pointed out that residents or participants mainly expressed positive experiences in the programme, including experiencing a sense of belongingness, enhanced self-esteem/self-worth, and most importantly, developing hope of a life free of addiction. The study, however, also found that the programme was structured for all residents and did not offer opportunities for individualized care, which detracted participants from the programme experience. Given the TC programme’s impact, it is recommended that out-patient-based sessions should be introduced for residents like pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and clients who cannot leave without their families to benefit from the TC programme's effectiveness.