Legal Mandates and Perceived Coercion in Residential Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment

Abstract

The use of pressure (including legal mandates) to encourage individuals with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use issues to enter treatment is widespread. The aims of this study were to examine how legal mandates to enter residential AOD treatment, perceived coercion across sources, and motivation impact upon treatment engagement and retention. To address this aim, 114 clients in residential AOD treatment completed self-report questionnaires with scales measuring these constructs. Facility records regarding treatment retention were also provided. Results indicated that being legally mandated to enter treatment and perceived coercion across sources (legal, relational, etc.) did not independently predict treatment engagement and being legally mandated did not relate to treatment retention. Significant predictors of treatment engagement included treatment motivation, self-efficacy, and peer support. These findings suggest that pressure does not necessarily have a negative impact on AOD treatment.

Key words:

• alcohol
• drugs
• legal mandate
• motivation
• perceived coercion
• pressure
• treatment

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dr Richard Kemp for advice regarding statistical analysis on this article. Thanks also to Odyssey House and We Help Ourselves for supporting the research by allowing recruitment of research participants from their facilities.