Comparing Outcomes of ‘Voluntary’ and ‘Quasi-Compulsory’ Treatment of Substance Dependence in Europe

Another study finding that coerced treatment is just as effective as voluntary treatment.

This is important for drug courts, employers and families.

It also raises important questions about the utility of the stages of change for treatment placement. The conventional wisdom is that less motivated people should not be provided higher levels of care. These findings suggest that treatment outcomes are not a good argument for this approach.

This should be of limited comfort, though. The treatment system fails to attract too many people and relies too much on external coercion.