Press reviews for: Therapeutic Communities for the Treatment of Drug Users
Psychiatric Bulletin
Therapeutic Communities 4 'Authoritative, prescriptive and inflexible chapters are balanced by more personal portraits of therapeutic communities.'
Forensic Update
In our opinion, the strength of this book is that it is written in language that is accessible to a diverse audience. The authors is clearly defines different therapeutic community models. Some of the authors use case study examples, which are useful and give a real flavour to the material. Many of the authors provide references and directions for further reading, which may be useful for some readers. The accounts given by clients and staff are noticeably balanced and highlight both the problems and rewards of being involved in a therapeutic community.
Addiction Today
The purpose, origins, development and potential future of therapeutic communities are all covered in this book. It offers a view of the infamous US Synanon therapeutic community, how it emerged via contact with Alcoholics Anonymous members, its worldwide export and its influence on treatment for alcohol and other drug addictions. I recommend this book, if only as a reference volume. But to use it solely as such might deny the reader the experience of some excellent qualitative chapters, particularly by Burnett and a former resident staff member of the Ley community in Oxford.