Rehabilitering av rusmisbrukere ved et behandlingsted i Honduras

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this paper was to study a therapeutic community for drug abusers in Honduras. The main targets was to describe and study the different methods that are being used in the treatment, including vocational training, encounter groups and religious therapy, and by this see how the rehabilitation program worked.The treatment programme is compared with current rehabilitation programs in Norway. Methods: I worked four months at the programme as a volunteer, participating in the daily life of the programme. By this I collected qualitative data by the use of participant observation. Results: The programme included only males, aged from 15-45 years old, most of whom had either used alcohol, marihuana or cocaine only, or a combination of these. The treatment was intended to last for 4 months. Many clients quit the program before planned. There was no systematic follow up of the clients after discharge. The use of previous drug addicts as staff had both positive and negative aspects. The mandatory religious therapy was strongly rejected by some of the clients. Conclusion: The programme is a low budget rehabilitation program in a third world country. It is probable that this dictates the way the programme is run. Most of the methods used are still practised in Norwegian rehabilitation programs. The strong religious aspect is not suitable for everyone, and the clients need to be informed about this upon admission.