Thematic group activities: accommodating the individual needs of clients undergoing therapeutic community approach in Indonesia

Purpose Therapeutic community (TC) is a primary approach that has been used in all Indonesian National Narcotics Board residential treatment centers since 2012. In TC, all daily activities are strengthened into habits and routines without strong therapeutic or educational reasons. But recently, the TC members become more critical and have growing individual needs. Thus, the Indonesian National Narcotics Board (INNB) tried to combine the TC approach with thematic group activities (TGA) intervention using an integrated individual approach to improve the outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the client’s behavioral changes after undergoing a TC approach added with TGA intervention for two months. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods study with the pre-post design was applied to 122 participants from six INNB rehabilitation centers. Pre-post behavioral changes were measured by using Client Evaluation of Self Treatment, University Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale, modified-Addiction Severity Index 3.0 and World Health Organization-Quality of Life instruments. Analysis was done by using univariate and bivariate on quantitative data, focus group discussion, and medical record review. Findings The participants’ mean age was 30.57 years, majority male, 50% graduated from senior high schools and were employed. Bivariate analysis resulted statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) in tendencies to seek treatment, participate more actively, maintain a good relationship with counselors during the program, and decrease the psychological problems of participants. The client’s social state, as well as adaptation to the program, were also amended. Originality/value TGA-added TC approach was proven to improve clients’ behavioral changes, particularly in social functioning, program involvement and psychological conditions, in people with substance use disorders.