A report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Applied Statistics (2003) states that the criminal justice system is the principal source of referral for all substance abuse treatment admissions. According to the report, specific criminal justice venues and programs referring clients to substance abuse treatment include State and Federal courts, other courts, probation programs, other legal entities such as local law enforcement, corrections, or youth agencies, diversionary programs, and so forth. The most common type of criminal justice system referral (47%) were probation and parole referrals. The report also notes that when compared with substance abuse treatment admissions referrals from sources other than the criminal justice system, those in the system are younger, less likely to report prior substance abuse treatment, and more likely to be employed..
In terms of treatment, there are several different options that those referred may receive depending upon the treatment model preferred by a given program. This paper examines the disease model and the therapeutic community model of substance abuse treatment. The harm reduction model approach to drug policy is also reviewed.
Treatment Implications of the Disease Model
According to Fisher and Harrison (2000), the disease model of substance abuse addiction views substance addiction as a primary disease which is to say that it exists in and of itself and is not secondary to some other condition. There are several treatment implications of the Disease Model. According to White, Boyle and Loveland (2002) one of these is that the current system of treatment which is essentially aimed at treating acute episodes requires a restructuring toward a sustained recovery management model. Traditional models can be used to meet the needs of individuals who have "recovery capital" to resolve their alcohol- and drug-related problems through a single episod...