McFadden Daniel, Prior Katrina, Miles Helen, Hemraj Sunny, Barrett Emma L
The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University, Derry, UK.
Drug Alcohol Rev. 2022 Jan;41(1):256-259. doi: 10.1111/dar.13344. Epub 2021 Jun 22.
Substance use disorders are highly prevalent among forensic patients. They are associated with many challenges for patients with these problems, including their ability to rehabilitate and successfully move through secure forensic mental health services, as well as increasing risk for recidivism. Traditionally, forensic services have been more adept at focusing on and treating the primary mental health diagnosis alone and have been less likely to prioritise this co-occurring patient need. Opportunities exist to foster effective treatment strategies for substance use disorders, and past research has produced positive outcomes among forensic patients in studies in both Australia and the UK to navigate a new course for patients with these problems. By providing empirically validated, co-produced and culturally competent treatment responses, forensic patients living with substance use disorders will have the opportunity to significantly improve their wellbeing and progress through the system. They will also be more prepared and equipped to face challenges upon discharge into the community, including increased availability of alcohol and other drugs, social stigma and barriers to employment. Moreover, by prioritising effective substance use treatment programs during inpatient rehabilitation, services can reduce the levels of post-discharge recidivism.
物质使用障碍在法医鉴定患者中极为普遍。对于有这些问题的患者而言，它们带来了诸多挑战，包括康复能力以及顺利通过安全的法医精神健康服务体系的能力，同时还增加了累犯风险。传统上，法医服务更擅长仅专注于和治疗主要的精神健康诊断，而不太可能将这种共病患者需求列为优先事项。存在促进针对物质使用障碍的有效治疗策略的机会，过去的研究在澳大利亚和英国的研究中已在法医患者中取得了积极成果，为有这些问题的患者开辟了一条新道路。通过提供经实证验证、共同制定且具有文化胜任力的治疗应对措施，患有物质使用障碍的法医患者将有机会显著改善其福祉，并在该体系中取得进展。他们也将更有准备和能力面对出院后进入社区时面临的挑战，包括酒精和其他药物的可得性增加、社会污名以及就业障碍。此外，通过在住院康复期间优先开展有效的物质使用治疗项目，服务机构可以降低出院后的累犯率。
