NCJ Number
198784
Journal
National Drug Court Institute Review Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 2001 Pages: 35-87
Editor(s)
Michael P. Wilkosz,
Carson L. Fox
Date Published
2001
Length
53 pages
Annotation
This article presents a review of an extensive meta-analysis examining years of therapy outcome studies and the critical ingredients necessary to effect positive behavior change, applied to work with drug court participants.
Abstract
This article’s intent is to address or speak to those members of the drug court team whose role has not been traditionally associated with the treatment field, such as judges, lawyers, and probation officers, and improve the effectiveness of the therapeutic approach. In analyzing 40 years of therapy outcome studies, the article attempts to identify the critical ingredients of positive behavior change. Among the over 200 recognized therapy models, no single approach or theory has proven to be reliably better than any other. This study suggests that the effective aspects of treatment are due to four common factors: (1) client facts; (2) relationship factors; (3) hope and expectancy; and (4) model/technique. In addition, certain issues and opportunities arise in revising programs to incorporate strength-based techniques, these include: (1) all drug court team members can become changed-focused; (2) staff should share the “expert” role with the participant and family; (3) treatment should not simply fix what is broken, but nurture what is best; and (4) a greater concentration on building a therapeutic alliance between staff and drug court participant. This article asserts the belief that staff and providers are the “engine” of change. The goal is to increase a curative approach by all who participate in the work of drug court, especially those from the non-therapeutic professional roles. References