The relationship between legal status, perceived pressure and motivation in treatment for drug dependence: results from a European study of Quasi-Compulsory Treatment.
This paper reports on intake data from Quasi-Compulsory Treatment in Europe, a study of quasi-compulsory treatment (QCT) for drug dependent offenders. It explores the link between formal legal coercion, perceived pressure to be in treatment and motivation amongst a sample of 845 people who entered treatment for drug dependence in five European countries, half of them in quasi-compulsory treatment and half 'voluntarily'. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, it suggests that those who enter treatment under QCT do perceive greater pressure to be in treatment, but that this does not necessarily lead to higher or lower motivation than 'volunteers'. Many drug-dependent offenders value QCT as an opportunity to get treatment. Motivation is mutable and can be developed or diminished by the quality of support and services offered to drug-dependent offenders.
Stevens
Alex
A
European Institute of Social Services, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK. A.W.Stevens@kent.ac.uk
Berto
Daniele
D
Frick
Ulrich
U
Hunt
Neil
N
Kerschl
Viktoria
V
McSweeney
Tim
T
Oeuvray
Kerrie
K
Puppo
Irene
I
Santa Maria
Alberto
A
Schaaf
Susanne
S
Trinkl
Barbara
B
Uchtenhagen
Ambros
A
Werdenich
Wolfgang
W
D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D003068:Coercion; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009042:Motivation; D012114:Residential Treatment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology