Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to examine the conceptual and public policy underpinnings of involuntary treatment for individuals who engage in alcohol and/or substance abuse. METHODS: The authors reviewed the relevant scientific and legal literature with a focus on the state of Florida, and compared and contrasted civil commitment statutes for addiction patients with those for patients with severe mental illness. RESULTS: Aside from episodes of acute intoxication and withdrawal delirium, most individuals with addiction disorders are mentally competent. This finding raises serious ethical questions about the detention of individuals with substance abuse disorders against their will. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment for alcohol and drug abuse requires a concerted, multidisciplinary strategy to have a long-lasting impact on the disease process. Although structured and intensive aftercare may carry attendant expenses, it is ultimately more affordable than short-term incarceration and legal proceedings. One potential legal-based treatment alternative would be mandating outpatient involuntary commitment for individuals with severe addictive disorders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 136-145 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Addictive Disorders and their Treatment |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2012 |
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Keywords
- alcohol abuse
- civil commitment
- drug abuse
- Florida
- involuntary treatment
- Marchman act
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Civil commitment among patients with alcohol and drug abuse : Practical, conceptual, and ethical issues. / Rustad, James K.; Junquera, Patricia; Chaves, Luis; Eth, Spencer.
In: Addictive Disorders and their Treatment, Vol. 11, No. 3, 01.09.2012, p. 136-145.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Civil commitment among patients with alcohol and drug abuse
T2 - Practical, conceptual, and ethical issues
AU - Rustad, James K.
AU - Junquera, Patricia
AU - Chaves, Luis
AU - Eth, Spencer
PY - 2012/9/1
Y1 - 2012/9/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to examine the conceptual and public policy underpinnings of involuntary treatment for individuals who engage in alcohol and/or substance abuse. METHODS: The authors reviewed the relevant scientific and legal literature with a focus on the state of Florida, and compared and contrasted civil commitment statutes for addiction patients with those for patients with severe mental illness. RESULTS: Aside from episodes of acute intoxication and withdrawal delirium, most individuals with addiction disorders are mentally competent. This finding raises serious ethical questions about the detention of individuals with substance abuse disorders against their will. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment for alcohol and drug abuse requires a concerted, multidisciplinary strategy to have a long-lasting impact on the disease process. Although structured and intensive aftercare may carry attendant expenses, it is ultimately more affordable than short-term incarceration and legal proceedings. One potential legal-based treatment alternative would be mandating outpatient involuntary commitment for individuals with severe addictive disorders.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to examine the conceptual and public policy underpinnings of involuntary treatment for individuals who engage in alcohol and/or substance abuse. METHODS: The authors reviewed the relevant scientific and legal literature with a focus on the state of Florida, and compared and contrasted civil commitment statutes for addiction patients with those for patients with severe mental illness. RESULTS: Aside from episodes of acute intoxication and withdrawal delirium, most individuals with addiction disorders are mentally competent. This finding raises serious ethical questions about the detention of individuals with substance abuse disorders against their will. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment for alcohol and drug abuse requires a concerted, multidisciplinary strategy to have a long-lasting impact on the disease process. Although structured and intensive aftercare may carry attendant expenses, it is ultimately more affordable than short-term incarceration and legal proceedings. One potential legal-based treatment alternative would be mandating outpatient involuntary commitment for individuals with severe addictive disorders.
KW - alcohol abuse
KW - civil commitment
KW - drug abuse
KW - Florida
KW - involuntary treatment
KW - Marchman act
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84865737220&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84865737220&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/ADT.0b013e318234298b
DO - 10.1097/ADT.0b013e318234298b
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84865737220
VL - 11
SP - 136
EP - 145
JO - Addictive Disorders and their Treatment
JF - Addictive Disorders and their Treatment
SN - 1531-5754
IS - 3
ER -