Therapeutic communities for drug addicts in Israel: Comparing addicts born in the Former Soviet Union and in Israel

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to focus on comparing background characteristics, self-efficacy, and family support of immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and of veteran Israelis who join therapeutic communities in Israel, and their adjustment to these communities. The aim of this research was to examine whether therapeutic communities are an appropriate rehabilitative setting for immigrants who come from a different cultural background. Design/methodology/approach - The study sample consisted of 213 people with addictions, who were being treated in therapeutic communities in Israel: 110 were Israeli-born and 103 were immigrants from the FSU. The data in the present study are based on questionnaires, which the participants completed upon their arrival into the communities: socio-demographic data; perceived self-efficacy in resisting the temptation of drugs; and family support. The dropout rates from the therapeutic communities were also examined. Findings - The findings indicate that the addicts who immigrated from the FSU had lower self-efficacy in resisting high-risk drug situations as well as lower levels of family support, whereas the dropout rate from the treatment program was considerably higher among the Israeli-born participants. Originality/value - The findings suggest that the therapeutic community is an appropriate setting for addicts from the FSU, and that they had a lower dropout rate than did the Israeli-born addicts. Thus, the main value of this research is that it suggests that the communities are an appropriate rehabilitative setting for the immigrants.