[Treatment motivation of patients admitted for substance abuse treatment according to the section 64 StGB regulation].
OBJECTIVE
Describe treatment motivation in offenders with addiction problems, who enter treatment in forensic hospital departments according to section 64 of the German penal code. Consider relevance of treatment motivation with regard to course and outcome of treatment.


METHODS
83 patients were interviewed within the first days of psychiatric detention and after six month of treatment. They also filled in questionnaires on treatment motivation. Hospital staff reported another six month later about course of treatment.


RESULTS
Most patients express awareness of drug/alcohol related problems and an intention to participate in treatment. But only a minority of patients shows a very strong motivation to stay abstinent from alcohol/drugs. More than half of the patients relapse during the first year of treatment. In more than one third of the cases, psychiatric detentions are cancelled due to a negative assessment of prognosis of further treatment. Most of these patients are returned to prison.


CONCLUSIONS
Initial treatment motivation shows some relevance with regard to course of treatment. But negative outcomes of treatment shouldn't be explained simply as effects of insufficient motivation. A conception of treatment fostering hope and social competence seems to be most effective in strengthening treatment motivation.
Schalast
N
N
Institut für Forensische Psychiatrie, Universität Essen.
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010358:Patient Participation; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology