The role of coercion in rehabilitation of drug abusers.
The impact of coercion in rehabilitation of drug abusers was examined in a 1979 study of a population of drug abusers in treatment programs in South Jersey. The experimental group consisted of patients in treatment through the TASC program, while the control group was made up of patients who had voluntarily committed themselves to treatment. A validated interview schedule was utilized for both coerced and noncoerced groups. Data analysis utilized analysis of contingency tables involving chi 2 tests of significance and Pearsons Correlation Coefficients, as well as one-way and two-way analyses of variance. This study found that coercion facilitates success for certain population groups (e.g., older, longer-term heroin addicts), only by certain criteria (e.g., arrest and abstinence) for certain treatment settings (e.g., drug-free vs methadone maintenance programs). Confirmation of the maturing-out process with regard to treatment of heroin addicts was also noted. Based on study findings and literature review, a number of policy-related recommendations are made.
D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003415:Crime; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009515:New Jersey; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011330:Prisons; D012917:Social Adjustment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D000662:Amphetamines; D008691:Methadone