Improving Treatment in Treatment Court: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) of the Drug Court Experience

Abstract

Drug courts have played a key role in criminal justice reform, particularly in supporting substance use and mental health disorder recovery. Little is known, though, related to drug court participants’ views on the strengths of the program that support their recovery and what suggestions they have to improve programming. This qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) provides a behind-the-scenes perspective of drug court programming from the voices of participants (n = 183). Based on data extracted from a synthesis of nine qualitative studies, three new themes emerged related to the strengths of drug court that support recovery and suggestions to improve programming. The new themes are: (1) Improving treatment in treatment court; (2) The interplay between internal motivation for change and dignity and respect for all; and (3) Being future oriented: Developing a sustainable recovery support system. Implications for drug court practice, policy advocacy, and future research are discussed. Drug courts should revisit how clinical information is exchanged between treatment providers and the justice system, and potentially reduce this collaboration. Furthermore, recommendations are offered on how drug courts can support participants in developing internal motivation for recovery and in sustaining recovery post-drug court.