LEGAL PRESSURE ASSUME AS MOTIVATION FOR TREATMENT IN A MULTI-MODAL ADDICTION REHABIITATION FACILITY (FROM DRUG ABUSE - MODERN TRENDS, ISSUES, AND PERSPECTIVES, 1978, BY ARNOLD SCHECTER ET AL - SEE NCJ-48582)

• NCJ Number: 48592
• Author(s): R J HARFORD; J C UNGERER; J K KINSELLA
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA01097; H80 DA16356
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: Marcel Dekker, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 2ND NATIONAL DRUG ABUSE CONFERENCE, NEW ORLEANS (LA), 1975

Annotation

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOUR MEASURES OF LEGAL PRESSURE AND TREATMENT RETENTION AND COMPLETION RATES IN FIVE DRUG PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE DRUG DEPENDENCE UNIT IN NEW HAVEN, CONN., IS ANALYZED.

Abstract

THE TREATMENT METHODS INCLUDE ALPHA HOUSE, A SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS; DAYTOP, A RESIDENTIAL THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR YOUNG ADULTS; VERITAS HOUSE, A DAY PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS; LOW INTERVENTION, AN OUTPATIENT ABSTINENCE AND NARCOTIC ANTAGONIST PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS; AND METHADONE MAINTENANCE FOR ABUSERS OVER AGE 21. THE STUDY POPULATION INCLUDES 404 PERSONS WHO ENTERED THESE TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE FIRST TIME BETWEEN JANUARY 1971 AND JANUARY 1974. FOUR MEASURES THAT HE OR SHE IS ON PROBATION, ON PAROLE, OR AWAITING TRIAL UPON APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO A TREATMENT PROGRAM; AND A COMPOSITE OF THESE THREE MEASURES. THE PRINCIPAL FINDING IS THAT OLDER CLIENTS OF THE METHADONE AND ALPHA HOUSE PROGRAMS WHO WERE ADMITTED TO TREATMENT WHILE ON PROBATION WERE RETAINED IN THE PROGRAMS FOR SHORTER PERIODS THAN WERE CLIENTS WHO WERE NOT ON PROBATION. NO OTHER DIFFERENCES IN PROGRAM RETENTION OR COMPLETION RATES WERE FOUND FOR ANY OF THE FOUR MEASURES OF LEGAL PRESSURE. THE POSSIBILITY THAT LEGAL PRESSURE INHIBITS RATHER THAN FACILITATES TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION IS RAISED. OTHER IMPLICATIONS ARE DISCUSSED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED. TABULAR DATA ARE OMITTED. (LKM)