Social networks and recovery (SONAR): characteristics of a longitudinal outcome study in five therapeutic communities in Australia
Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities
ISSN: 0964-1866
Article publication date: 12 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how social identity change can support the TC objective of promoting “right living”. This is compatible with the literature on addiction recovery which has shown that identity change is central to this process. While much of the earlier literature focussed primarily on an individual analysis of change, there is a growing body of research showing the important contribution that social networks, social group membership and associated social identities make to sustainable change.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes baseline data for a multi-site prospective cohort study of 308 clients entering therapeutic community (TC) treatment and characterizes the presenting profile of this cohort on a range of social identity and recovery measures at the point of TC entry.
Findings
The sample was predominantly male with a mean age of 35 years, with the large majority having been unemployed in the month before admission. The most commonly reported primary substance was methamphetamine, followed by alcohol and heroin. The sample reported low rates of engagement in recovery groups, but access to and moderate degrees of social support was also reported in the period prior to admission.
Research limitations/implications
The paper highlights the important role that TCs play in facilitating identity change and in promoting sustainable recovery.
Practical implications
The paper discusses opportunities for working with social identities both during residence and in community re-integration, and highlights what TCs can do to support and sustain recovery.
Social implications
The paper brings to light the potential contribution of social group membership and social identity change to management of recovery in TC settings.
Originality/value
The study described provides an innovative way of assessing TC effectiveness and testing novel questions about the role of social identity and recovery capital as key predictors of change.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all of the managers, staff and residents at all five of the therapeutic communities that have participated in this study. The authors are also grateful to the Australian Research Council for funding this project (DP140103579) and to colleagues at Turning Point, Monash University, the University of Queensland and Deakin University for their ongoing support.
Citation
Best, D.W., Haslam, C., Staiger, P., Dingle, G., Savic, M., Bathish, R., Mackenzie, J., Beckwith, M. and Lubman, D.I. (2016), "Social networks and recovery (SONAR): characteristics of a longitudinal outcome study in five therapeutic communities in Australia", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 131-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-04-2016-0012
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited