Psychological Change in Voluntary and Legally Coerced Clients of a Residential Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programme

Abstract

Self-report measures were used to investigate psychological symptoms, motivation for change and empathy in male residential clients of an alcohol and drug treatment programme. Thirty-eight participants entered treatment voluntarily and 42 participants were under various forms of legal coercion to enter treatment. Data were collected for all participants 10–15 days into treatment and again, for those remaining in treatment, at approximately 5 weeks and 10 weeks after admission. Overall, the results showed little that differentiated the psychological profile of these cohorts early in treatment or subsequently over ensuing weeks. Both types of residents, at the group and at an individual level, reported substantial improvements in their psychological state with time. Younger clients who had lived in one place for 6 months prior to programme entry were more likely to leave treatment in the first 5 weeks. Legally coerced clients were more likely than voluntary clients to drop out of treatment between 5 and 10 weeks.

Key words:

• legal coercion
• psychological functioning
• residential treatment
• substance abuse

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff and management of Benelong's Haven and the residents who participated in this study. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views at Benelong's Haven.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anthony P. Thompson

Some of the findings included here were previously presented by Nolan and Thompson at the 42nd Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society, 2007.