Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T12:42:33.684Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A study of the legal involvement of new patient attenders at a Dublin alcohol treatment unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Harry Doyle ,
John Tobin  and
William Delaney
Harry Doyle*
Affiliation:
UMDS, of Guy's and, St. Thomas' Hospitals
John Tobin
Affiliation:
James Connolly Memorial Hospital
William Delaney
Affiliation:
Royal College of Surgeonsand Consultant Psychiatrist, St. Dymphna's Alcohol Unit
*
Senior Registrar, Academic Department of Psychiatry, Guy's Hospital, London SE1
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the influence of the legal system on new attenders at an alcohol treatment unit. Method: One hundred and forty seven new patient referrals to an alcohol unit were examined prospectively over a four month period. Data were obtained by standard psychiatric interview, drinking history inventory, Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire and a detailed questionnaire of present and past legal involvement. Subjects were then followed up and the numbers remaining in treatment after the first visit and after one month ascertained. Results: Both legally referred and non-legally referred groups had significant past legal involvement while those attending under legal pressure were found to be as severely addicted as other referral types and to have no greater drop out rate from treatment. Conclusion: It is suggested that legally pressured attenders should be accepted into treatment as readily as other referral types and that greater liaison between the criminal justice system and alcohol treatment units is required.

Keywords

Alcohol dependenceLegal referrals
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , November 1992 , pp. 93 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Goodwin, DW, Crane, B, Gurze, SB. Felons who drink: an 8 year follow up. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol 1971; 32: 136–147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Lindelius, R, Sum, I. Alcoholism and crime: a comparative study of three groups of alcoholics. J Stud Alcohol 1979; 36: 1452–1447.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Myers, J. Alcohol and violent crime re-examined: self reports from two sub-groups of Scottish male prisoners. Br J Addict 1982; 77: 399–413.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Greenburg, S. Alcohol and crime: a methodological critique of the literature. In: Collins, J, editor. Drinking and crime: perspective on the relationship between alcohol consumption and criminal behaviour. New York: Tavistock Publications, 1982.Google Scholar
5.Petersilia, J, Greenwood, PW, Lavin, M. Criminal careers of habitual felons. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978.Google Scholar
6.Edwards, G, Kyle, E, Nicholls, P. Alcoholics admitted to four hospitals in England. III: Criminal records. J Stud Alcohol 1977; 38: 1648–1664.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Collins, JJ, Allison, M. Legal coercion and retention in drug abuse treatment. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1983; 34 (12): 1145–1149.Google ScholarPubMed
8.Stockwell, T, Murphy, D, Hodgson, R. The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire: its use, reliability and validity. Br J Addict 1983; 78: 145–155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Baekeland, F, Lundwell, L. Dropping out of treatment: a critical review. Psychol Bull 1975; 82: 738–783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Dunham, RG, Mauss, AL. Reluctant referrals: the effectiveness of legal coercion in outpatient treatment for problem drinkers. Journal of Drug Issues 1982; 12: 5–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Watson, CG, Brown, K, Telleskjor, C, Jacobs, L, Pucel, J. The comparative recidivism rates of voluntary and coerced admission male alcoholics. Journal of Clinical Psychology 1988 07; 144 (4): 573–581.3.0.CO;2-M>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Schottenfeld, RS. Involuntary treatment of substance abuse disorder – impediments to success. Psychiatry 1989; 52 (2): 164–176.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed