Dual-Diagnosis and Compulsory Treatment

Overview

The Norwegian Social and Welfare Act of 1992, opened for compulsory commitment of patients with serious alcohol and drug problems to inpatient care. Clinical research of compulsory committed dual diagnosed patients is to date unavailable and is demanded by the health authorities of Norway. Because there has been limited examination/screening and no post-treatment research efforts on this group of patients, the investigators have limited knowledge of the treatment as well as the patient group. Do compulsory treated patients differ from those voluntarily admitted? Does this type of treatment influence the patients' motivation to change their behaviour, and does the treatment effort lead to positive outcome effects in the long run? The primary aim is to acquire new and in depth descriptive knowledge about the compulsory treated group of patients according to: Drug dependence, psychiatric and somatic co-morbidity and socio-demographic characteristics, and investigate whether the treatment yields the intended outcomes in terms of improved substance abuse measures. A second aim is to compare the group with a corresponding group of voluntarily admitted patients within the same wards. A follow-up interview focusing on motivational issues within 6 months post treatment to evaluate the long-term results of the treatment is planned. A quasi-experimental, prospective case-control study will be conducted. Compulsory committed patients in five counties during a two year period, will be compared to a group of voluntarily admitted patients. The groups will be compared regarding 1) description and screening 2) motivation to change and 3) outcome results after 6 months. Both official authorities as well as clinical practitioners would benefit from valid Norwegian results and knowledge within this field to form further policies and evidence based best practice for this vulnerable group of patients.

Full Title of Study: “Compulsory Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Dependent Patients and Dual Diagnosis in 5 Counties of Health Region South-East, Norway”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
    • Time Perspective: Prospective
  • Study Primary Completion Date: May 2012

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Involuntary patients
    • Compulsory treated patients according to the Norwegian Social and Welfare Act of 1992. Most patients have dualdiagnosis.
  • Voluntary patients
    • Voluntary patients on the same wards. Most patients have dual-diagnosis.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Substance use outcomes measured by Europ-ASI Quality of Life
    • Time Frame: 6 months after discharge

Secondary Measures

  • Psychological distress (SCL-90-R)
    • Time Frame: 6 months after discharge

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Patients with alcohol and substance use disorders – Estimated premorbid IQ of 70 or higher Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active drug or alcohol abuse

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Sorlandet Hospital HF
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Øistein Kristensen, Study Director, Sørlandet Sykehus HF

Clinical trials entries are delivered from the US National Institutes of Health and are not reviewed separately by this site. Please see the identifier information above for retrieving further details from the government database.

At TrialBulletin.com, we keep tabs on over 200,000 clinical trials in the US and abroad, using medical data supplied directly by the US National Institutes of Health. Please see the About and Contact page for details.