Abstract
M.A.(Social Work)
In South Africa very few facilities exist for the treatment of chemical substance dependency, and-many chemically dependent persons who, because of work and family commitments cannot admit themselves to a long-term inpatient government
or registered treatment facility, are deprived of an opportunity to receive appropriate treatment for their condition.
Riverfield Lodge, a private treatment centre, was designed and built to meet the need for a shorter-term intensive inpatient treatment programme for individuals and their families whose physical, psychological and social functioning, and work performance have become impaired as a result of their abuse of psychoactive chemical substances.
Realizing the responsibility to be accountable both to the clients served and to the funding agents of this project, the need for an accountable empirically-based treatment
programme which can be used at Riverfield Lodge was identified.
This study was undertaken with the aim to develop a short-term treatment programme for chemically dependent persons in a therapeutic community, based on research findings and a literature study of already existing intervention strategies (social technology) and treatment programmes.
This study is undertaken within the practice-research paradigma- - a new perspective which calls for social workers to adopt systematic research procedures to shape, direct and monitor their practice activities (in this case the treatment of chemically dependent persons), and (since theultimate aim of this study is to design new social technology)
Development research, a relatively new research model 'that was designed by Edwin Thomas, is used as research design.
In order to ascertain whether the treatment of chemically dependent persons is necessary and successful, and to identify and determine which treatment methods are most effective when treating chemical substance dependency, vailable literature on the treatment of chemical substance dependency was studied. Based on the finding of this investigation, a short-term treatment programme was designed. Although this programme was designed on request of the Management of Riverfield Lodge, it can also be adapted and used by any other praciitioners who render treatment services to persons who are addicted to chemical substances.
The Riverfield Lodge treatment programme takes an holistic approach to treating the individual, rather than treating the symptoms. Symptomatic treatment of drug dependency is rarely successful, and this treatment programme provides
for the' physical restoration, resocialization and psychological integration of the dependent individual and those close to him. It entails improvement in physical and social functioning, self image, self esteem, interpersonal relationships, positive family interaction and productivity, the establishment and attainment of realistic life goals,
and a healthy lifestyle adjustment without chemical substances.
Treatment at Riverfield Lodge will be rendered in a therapeutic community, and medical treatment, individual psychotherapy and social work intervention, group work, behaviour modification, occupational therapy and family therapy will be used as treatment methods. The importance of continuing, prolonged aftercare is emphasized, and
post-discharge support services and follow-up counselling will be provided.
Based on research findings it is recommended that, although a general treatment programme has been developed, it is imperative to assess every patient individually to determine which combination of the available forms of treatment methods are best suited in the case concerned. It is likely that in the individual suffering from chemical substance dependence, a number of interacting predisposing and precipitating
factors have been at work to produce the condition which itself in turn produces physical, psychological, emotional and social changes. For these reasons it is unlikely that one and the same method of treatment would be effective for every individual case.
Finally it is emphasised that the treatment of chemical substance dependency is not the prerogative or the responsibility of one profession. The multi-dimensional nature of
this social problem necessitates the participation of a multi-disciplinary team of trained and skilled professionals in the treatment process. In addition the dependents family and friend, his employer and colleagues and other support systems have to work in close co-operation with the multi-professional team to achieve the best possible results.
This short term, twenty eight day inpatient treatment programme will hopefully offer an extensive and comprehensive foundation for recovery from chemical substance dependence, and combined with long term aftercare treatment programmes, it is expected to make a significant contribution to the alcohol and drug treatment field in South Africa.