Toward an Understanding of Cure as “Curing”: An Explanation

Abstract

In this paper, several definitions of curing have been explored: the medical model, cure by completion of contract, operational definition, and definitions of cure as “growth.” While each of these is useful in some cases, none alone is an adequate definition. Each leaves out important information and leaves questions unanswered. A definition of curing must answer the questions: “Cured of what?”, “Cured by whom?”, “Cured by what methods?”, “How is cure evaluated?” and “Who and what is involved in the evaluation?”