title: Comparing outcomes of 'voluntary' and 'quasi-compulsory' treatment of substance dependence in Europe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates quasi-compulsory drug treatment (QCT) arrangements for substance-dependent offenders receiving treatment instead of imprisonment in comparison to voluntary treatment within five European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were interviewed with the European Addiction Severity Index, the ASI-crime module, questions on perception of pressure and self-efficacy, and the Readiness-to-Change Questionnaire at treatment entry and after 6, 12, and 18 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reductions in substance use and crime as well as improvements in health and social integration were observed in QCT and voluntary treatment groups. After controlling for various factors, subjects in the QCT and the comparison group showed similar reductions in substance use and crime over time. Study retention was comparable in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QCT is as effective as voluntary treatment provided in the same services in reducing substance use and crime.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, Zurich, Switzerland. michael.schaub@isgf.uzh.ch
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaub
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berto
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Viktoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kerschl
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McSweeney
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oeuvray
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Puppo
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santa Maria
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trinkl
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Werdenich
authors.forename: Ambros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uchtenhagen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D003415:Crime / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000639:trends; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs / Q000639:trends; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D035141:Voluntary Programs / Q000639:trends; D055815:Young Adult