Human-Animal Interaction in the Program Structure: A Case Study of Recuperation Process among Persons who used Drugs (PWUDS)

Substance use is a widespread social concern among an estimated number of 279 million individuals involved (Lui et al., 2022). Approximately 1.8 million Filipino individuals have abused drugs (Gershman, 2016). Three thousand eight hundred sixty-five (3,865) were admitted in seventy (70) treatment and rehabilitation facilities wherein sixty-two (62) are residential and eight (8) are for outpatient (Dangerous Drugs Board, 2022). Excessive substance use led to substance use disorder, a chronic and recurring illness that is manifested by a persistent dependence on addictive drugs, despite their detrimental effects on the user and the community (Koob et al., 2010). Exposure and experience with substance use pose threatening risks that increase the possible emergence of physical illnesses and contribute to the existence of dysfunctional society that would eventually manifest in criminal acts. To address this, organizations and governments have made extensive effort to research various treatments, approaches and intervening modalities against substance use disorder. Common approaches in rehabilitation centers are multidisciplinary approach and therapeutic community approach. Multidisciplinary approaches offer skills of mental health professionals such as psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, or other practitioners from similar disciplines in mutual interest with the families for the benefit of the drug dependents. Therapeutic community approach sees addiction as a symptomatic manifestation of a more complex psychological problem where emotional, social, physical and spiritual values are considered to address what effectuates the presenting problem. It is a program with structure where the community is used as the primary approach to facilitate behavioral and attitude change. The individual is provided with information and the importance to change from being a part of the community (Dangerous Drug Boards, 2022). However, no single approach was proven to be the best fit in treating substance use. Emerging approaches in addiction recovery are considered, adapted, and utilized to bring forth the best service in reconciling addiction problems ending its detrimental effect to the society at large.