Transactional analysis group psychotherapy combined with residential milieu therapy has been used for 25 years as a treatment method for abusers of heavy drugs. To evaluate the results, 10 therapeutic communities (TCs) were studied in 1990–98. All transactional analysis therapy for 67 clients at 7 TCs was documented during 20 months by the clients and 43 therapists. The clients had 1 to 168 therapy sessions (mean 64). There was follow-up after two years. Outcomes were assessed. At three other TCs, 38 clients and 43 staff rated perceived importance of treatment factors in taped interviews. The results show that transactional analysis therapy was a central treatment factor, that clients with over 80 group therapy sessions improved more (p < .001), that those with complete therapy processes improved more (p < .001), and that more qualified therapists had better results (p < .02). The findings indicate that one year or more of transactional analysis therapy in a therapeutic community environment is effective in rehabilitating drug addicts.
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