Abstract
Introduction. Earlier reviews regarding the effectiveness of Drug Treatment Courts (DTCs) reported a reduction in reoffending and substance use. Although substance users suffer from other difficulties than drug use and judicial issues, none of these reviews focused on outcomes or effects of DTCs on drug-related life domains, such as social relationships, employment, or health. Therefor, the present paper aims to review the impact of adult DTCs on substance use and drug-related life domains. Method. Primary studies were systematically searched in Web of Knowledge. Observational and controlled evaluation studies of adult DTCs were considered eligible if substance use and/or drug-related life domains were measured. Results. Moderately positive results were found with respect to within-program substance use. Few studies used drug-related life domains as an outcome measure and most of them yielded no effects. Employment and family relations ameliorated when specific interventions were used. Discussion. DTCs yield beneficial outcomes and effects regarding within-program substance use. However, evidence regarding the impact of DTCs on post-program drug and alcohol use and on other drug-related life domains is scarce. These life domains and thus QoL possibly can be improved by DTCs if specifically targeted. Future research is warranted.
Highlights
Earlier reviews regarding the effectiveness of Drug Treatment Courts (DTCs) reported a reduction in reoffending and substance use
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are important public health problems in Western countries [1, 2] and are o en regarded as chronic relapsing disorders [3,4,5,6]. e chronicity of SUDs is illustrated by the observation that most substance users cycle repeatedly between abstinence on the one hand and relapses into active substance use on the other hand before reaching the phase of stable recovery
SUDs are typically associated with severe impairments in drug-related life domains such as health, wellbeing, social network, employment, and nancial situation [3,4,5,6]
Summary
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are important public health problems in Western countries [1, 2] and are o en regarded as chronic relapsing disorders [3,4,5,6]. e chronicity of SUDs is illustrated by the observation that most substance users cycle repeatedly between abstinence on the one hand and relapses into active substance use on the other hand before reaching the phase of stable recovery. SUDs are typically associated with severe impairments in drug-related life domains such as health, wellbeing, social network, employment, and nancial situation [3,4,5,6]. Ese alternative measures are associated with improvements in drug-related life domains, next to decreases in criminal offending and substance use [14,15,16]. Improvement in drug-related life domains plays an important role on the road to recovery and should be considered when evaluating DTC outcomes since these aim to reduce substance use and related criminal offending. Erefore, the present paper aims to review the impact of DTCs on substance use and other drug-related life domains Previous reviews have not focused on these drug-related life domains. erefore, the present paper aims to review the impact of DTCs on substance use and other drug-related life domains
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