NCJ Number
214735
Date Published
February 2005
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study interviewed 11 women convicted of felonies who had completed mandated drug treatment in a gender-sensitive program, in order to identify mechanisms in the treatment process that fostered recovery from drug dependence.
Abstract
When asked about what was most effective in their treatment experience, each respondent mentioned connecting with another woman in the program, typically a peer who had also used drugs and knew the struggles of street life, but who had begun to think and act in hopeful ways that impressed the newer participant. Observing changes in the lives of women similar to themselves gave the women hope that the program could change their lives, and their resistance to engagement in the program began to erode. Relationships with particular program staff were also important, but not as significant as their interactions with their peers who were on the road to recovery. Program staff were most helpful in creating a nonjudgmental environment that facilitated working through difficult issues. After becoming motivated to commit to the program, constructing a narrative to make sense of the origins and history of their drug use and life history was a key task. Feelings were a dominant theme in the process as memories from traumas of the past re-emerged. They realized that drugs were the only tool they had to cope with painful and disturbing feelings. The most challenging feelings involved guilt and shame about failing their children. Confronting, managing, and making sense of their feelings and how they related to their drug use was central in the healing process. Specific services provided onsite were case management services, therapeutic groups on domestic violence and sexual abuse, communication, understanding and managing feelings, relapse prevention, family, relationships, and anger management. Workforce readiness classes and 12-step groups are held onsite. 22 references