Residential treatment and its role in recovery pathways for people with addictions in France: the residents’ point of view

Abstract

While several quantitative studies exist describing the factors associated with maintaining objectives attained by people with addictions during their stay in residential therapeutic centres (RTC), few studies have examined the point of view of the residents themselves on this question. In the present study, qualitative interviews were conducted with 45 residents of an RTC in the Paris area at the end of their stay or in the 4–9 following months. Residents’ views confirmed the importance of: consolidating risk and stress management skills during their stay; adopting a holistic well-being approach; developing a truly personal health project; a treatment centre that really seems to care; peer support during and after their stay; and improving family and social networks. Obstacles included residents with rarer addictions feeling left out during group work; insufficient anticipation of the risks associated with returning to everyday life; a supportive group approach that disappears when returning to everyday life; and too great a gap between the RTC approach and the values of both the individual’s personal social network and their follow-up care professionals. In conclusion, although residents underline the therapeutic success of their stay, key questions remain concerning obstacles in recovery pathways when returning into real life situations.