The following message is posted with permission.
Subject: Compulsory Treatment
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 23:18:29 -0400
From: "Gerald A. Bunn" <[log in to unmask]>
To: Bob Aldred <[log in to unmask]>
Dear Bob,
I enjoyed your e-mail on compulsory treatment. I am sorry your speaker
took ill as I think this is a topic in need of discussion.
My experiences (U.S. Navy, EAP work with a number of companies and Drunk
Driving Programs in California and elsewhere) have shown compulsion CAN
be effective. I also agree that Motivational Interviewing can add a
great deal to the chances of getting those having early A&D problems to
accept help.
One of the connundrums in dealing with executives and many professionals
is that they are more prone to receive incomplete help early on, i.e.,
drinking issue perceived to be product of some other underlying issue
when it is the issue or they will be often covered up until later stages
of dependency. The more severe the dependency and the more senior the
executive/professional often require the more structured options.
In my experience the most successful program I am aware of is the
Federal Aviation Administration Program (I wrote a paper on this several
years ago). They have now had thousands of pilots in the program and
their follow-up (clearly documented) demonstrates an effectiveness rate
(return to full flying status) in excess of 90%. In the majority of
instances the pilots were "encouraged" to accept help or lose their
flying licence.
In a number of studies that I have seen in the past it has been
demonstrated, contrary to commonly held beliefs of the time, that
compulsory treatment faired as well, if not better, than straight
voluntary treatment - again- this is particularly true for the more
serious cases.
At any rate, I hope you can get some discussion on this topic going.
Jere Bunn
--
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Queensland is a community based
charity committed to the reduction of harm associated with alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs.
The Foundation may be contacted on +61 7 3832 3798 (International) or 07
3832 3798 within Australia. Fax +61 3832 2527 (International); 07 3832
2527 (Australia).
Home Page <www.adfq.org>
Foundation Services include: Outpatient Alcohol and Other Drugs
Counselling Service; Logan House Drug Rehabilitation Centre; Interlock
Employee Assistant Program; Pre-Release Treatment Assessment Program;
Publications - Drugs in Society, Health Wise, Drug Watch, Queensland
Directory of Drug Agencies; the Winter School in the Sun; the Queensland
Drug Forum; and DARTS Community Development Programs.
Chief Executive Officer:
Bob Aldred
Telephone +61 7 3832 3798 or 0411 51 6154
Email: <[log in to unmask]>
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|