Experience of the Therapeutic Community Regarding Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder: Phenomenological Study

This study aimed to explore and describe the experience of individuals with alcohol use disorder in the therapeutic community. The study was exploratory, with a qualitative design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from 15 individuals with alcohol use disorder recovering in the therapeutic community and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. There appear to be three categories: (1) feeling safe in an environment with structures and rules; (2) telling everything about myself without holding back; and (3) discovering the meaning of life. The healing elements in the therapeutic community are safety, talking, and discovering the meaning of life. Our findings show that the therapeutic community positively influenced individuals with alcohol use disorder and the changes in their attitudes toward life. Thus, we hope that these findings could contribute to the recovery and rehabilitation of individuals with alcohol use disorder in the community.