Shamrock Group Inc
(206) 789-4784
8535 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle WA 98103

Rehab and Insurance Services

Substance abuse treatment services
Services Provided: Substance abuse treatment
Type of Care: Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups: DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Addiction Goes Untreated

According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 23.2 million people, or 9.4 percent of the United States population, aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2007. Of these individuals, 2.4 million people totaling 10.4 percent of those who needed treatment, received treatment at a specialty facility such as a hospital, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or mental health center. Thus, 20.8 million people, or 8.4 percent of the population aged 12 or older, needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem but did not receive it. These estimates are similar to those in previous years.

Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminals

Drug abuse treatment is an effective intervention for drug abusers, including those who are involved with the criminal justice system. However, the effectiveness of drug treatment depends on both the individual and the program and on whether interventions and treatment services are available and appropriate for the needs of the individual. To amend attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that support drug use, the drug abuser must engage in a therapeutic change process. Longitudinal outcome studies find that those who participate in drug abuse treatment programs in the community commit fewer crimes than those who do not participate.
A history of drug use does not indicate the need for drug abuse treatment. Offenders who meet drug dependence criteria should have higher priority for treatment than those who do not. Less intensive interventions, such as drug abuse education or self help participation, may be appropriate for those not meeting criteria for drug dependence.
Some drug abuse treatments programs tailor to the needs of juveniles. Some programs offer psychiatric treatment. All drug abuse treatment programs become more effective when criminal or cognitive behavioral criminal justice personnel work in tandem with treatment providers.
If drug abusers meet other criteria, low motivation to participate in treatment or to end drug abuse should not preclude access to treatment. Motivational enhancement interventions may be useful in these cases. Examples of motivation include motivational interviewing and contingency management techniques, which often provide tangible rewards.

Offender Legal Pressures

Legal pressure that encourages abstinence and treatment participation may also help individuals by improving retention and catalyzing longer treatment stays.
Drug abuse treatment is effective for offenders who have a history of serious and violent crime, particularly with intensive, targeted services. The economic benefits in avoided crime and costs to crime victims, like medical costs, lost earnings and loss in quality of life, may be substantial for these higher risk offenders. Treating them requires a high degree of coordination between drug abuse treatment providers and criminal justice personnel in order to ensure that the treatment and criminal genic meet the needs of the individual.