NCJ Number
6808
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1972) Pages: 99-109
Date Published
1972
Length
11 pages
Annotation
AS A LEGAL FORM AND AS A TREATMENT MODE, CIVIL COMMITMENT REPRESENTS A PARTIAL RESOLUTION OF THE TRADITIONAL CONFLICT OF CRIME-VS -DISEASE CONCEPTS OF ADDICTION.
Abstract
CIVIL COMMITMENT PROGRAMS HOLD THAT ADDICTION IS A PROCESS WHICH REQUIRES MONTHS, PERHAPS YEARS OF TREATMENT TO ARREST IT AND THAT IT MUST BE LEGALLY CONTROLLED DURING THE REHABILITATION PERIOD. THE NEED FOR LONG-TERM WORK WITH THE ADDICT IN HIS HOME COMMUNITY RATHER THAN IN A FAR-OFF PRISON OR HOSPITAL IS RECOGNIZED. SUCH TREATMENT REQUIRES A LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO DEAL WITH THE MULTIPLE RELAPSES, REMISSIONS, AND SHORT-TERM HOSPITALIZATIONS THAT ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THE PROCESS OF THE ADDICT'S REHABILITATION. THIS PAPER TRACES THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HISTORICAL LEGAL COMPLEX, THE CLINICAL FRUSTRATIONS, AND THE FRAMEWORK OF CHANGING PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ADDICT TO EXPLAIN THE RECENT BLOSSOMING OF CIVIL COMMITMENT AS AN ADDICTION TREATMENT MODE. AUTHOR'S MODIFIED ABSTRACT