Therapeutic communities first developed in the 1960s and have continuing relevance in the world of drug treatment today. This report presents how therapeutic communities have developed over time, with reference to seven European countries, and provides an overview of research into their effectiveness as a treatment option and their impact on wider society.

Table of contents:
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Therapeutic communities: definition, history and key characteristics
• The availability of therapeutic communities in Europe
• Review of the effectiveness of therapeutic communities
• Therapeutic community standards and guidelines
• Therapeutic communities in Europe: recent developments and future challenges
• References
• Annexes