Title

Redefining Success: A Qualitative Investigation Of Therapeutic Outcomes For Noncompleting Drug Court Clients

Keywords

drug court effectiveness; drug court noncompleters; drug court outcomes; Harm reduction; qualitative research; residual drug court benefits

Abstract

Utilizing a convenience sample from a drug court program, the authors investigated the benefits of treatment for noncompleting drug court clients (n = 30). Using an as-treated design, the qualitative investigation assessed whether noncompleters received any benefit from their drug court experience. In-depth interviews were conducted to determine both benefits gained and reductions in harm that occurred as a result of drug court participation. Data analysis was guided by the grounded theory method. Outcomes of coding indicated that participants' motivation and self-efficacy were enhanced through the intervention. Further, participants reported that their relationships with family, therapists, or peers were improved as a result of their involvement with drug court. Individuals in the study sample reported abstinence or decreased substance use, as well as improvements in employment and/or educational attainment. Participants' perceptions of barriers to program completion were also noted. Study outcomes suggest that expansion of a harm reduction approach in social service practice may have utility for drug-abusing populations. Limitations of the research, including lack of generalizability, are discussed. Further research of harm reduction effects with a larger, heterogeneous sample size is recommended. © 2014 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Publication Title

Journal of Social Service Research

Volume

40

Issue

3

Number of Pages

325-338

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2013.875094

Socpus ID

84901188297 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84901188297

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS