History of Self-Help and 'Quasi-Self-Help' Groups in the Czech Republic: Development and Current Situation in the Institutional Context of Drug Services
Abstract
Historically, the context of the development of self-help groups operating in the Czech Republic differs from that experienced in the neighbouring countries, such as Austria, Germany, or Poland. The totalitarian regime found alcohol use to be something which was 'difficult to accept'.
The issue of alcohol dependency was more or less recognised because of the epidemiological situation and this made it possible for 'quasi-self-help' groups – groups led by addiction treatment professionals – to emerge. Cooperation with these groups was tolerated and later even supported.
The situation in the prevention and treatment of illicit drug use was much worse, as no drug problem officially existed. Until then, self-help for drug users was nearly illegal and viewed almost as an activity aimed against the communist regime.
Nevertheless, the current treatment programmes in the Czech Republic are still governed by the expert model to a great extent and the influence of self-help principles has been less apparent.