Abstract
M.A. (Psychology)
It is generally accepted that the management and treatment of
individuals addicted to chemical substances or drugs entail
challenges for the professions involved in drug contexts.
In this dissertation a number of therapeutic systems in drug
contexts are explored in aim of the treatment of people with
drug addiction. In the literature survey it is indicated that
the manner in which therapeutic intervensions are
operationalized in drug treatment practices, are influenced by
the organization's theoretical-philosophical orientation with
regard to therapeutic treatment modes. This aspect is examined
in the study on the basis of a critical discussion of the perspectives
of the medical model and an alternative model,
namely the adaptive model, concerning the therapeutic
management of people addicted to drugs.
It is further established from the literature that people with
drug addiction problems are often treated within the
boundaries of a therapeutic community and that various
therapeutic interventions, namely individual psychotherapy,
family therapy and group therapy, are also implemented in this
therapeutic context.
The present study specifically concentrates on an alternative
approach concerning the therapeutic modes of treatment for
individuals with drug addiction.
One such an approach, as discussed in this study, entails that
therapeutic approaches regarding people addicted to drugs,
progress from a causal-theoretical manner of defining these
people (for instance the view that individuals addicted to
drugs have a progressive disease and that they are unable to
take responsibility for their behaviour) to an approach based
on the principles of interactional therapy and motivational
milieu therapy {for instance the idea that such individuals
have the ability to conduct their interpersonal relationships