Multidimensional Change in Therapeutic Communities for Addictions: The Interplay Between Participant Characteristics, Perceptions of the TC Treatment Process and Time in Treatment

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The objective of the current study is to investigate the association between time in treatment and participants' perceptions of the treatment process in therapeutic communities (TCs) for addictions. Using a linear mixed effect model, we assessed whether the rate of participant change was related to motivation, cluster B personality traits, and psychological distress. Longitudinal data were gathered among 155 adults in 4 traditional TCs for addictions in Belgium. The results provide evidence that with time in treatment participants develop more profound perceptions regarding the TC concepts and processes of self-change, which denotes the theoretical assumption of identity change and right living in TC treatment.