Counseling Substance Abusing Offenders: Issues and Strategies

Offender Coercion in Treatment

“…For example, the number of legally mandated correctional treatment programs for substance abusers and spousal assaulters has increased significantly within the past decade (Holtzworth-Munroe, 2001;Polcin, 1999;Rosenbaum & Geffner, 2002;Wells-Parker, 1994). Furthermore, court-ordered counseling for substance abusers has now become common practice in many regions and states of the United States (Shearer & Baletka, 1999).…”

“…Therefore, it may be argued that treatment should be legally mandated to safeguard the community. However, another perspective commonly held by clinicians is that treatment can be effective only if the participants choose to attend treatment because of their own internal motivations (Shearer & Baletka, 1999).…”