Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
'Involuntary treatment' for severe substance use disorders (SUDs). An overview of key issues, experiences and outcomes for consideration in policy development in Canada. |
| Authors: |
Fischer, Benedikt (AUTHOR), Corace, Kim (AUTHOR), Hall, Wayne (AUTHOR), Jutras-Aswad, Didier (AUTHOR), Le Foll, Bernard (AUTHOR) |
| Source: |
Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy. Jun2026, Vol. 33 Issue 3, p262-276. 15p. |
| Subjects: |
Involuntary hospitalization -- Law & legislation, Substance abuse treatment, Involuntary treatment laws, Involuntary treatment, Policy sciences, Drug overdose, Health services accessibility, Patients' rights, Human services programs, Health policy, Drug addiction, Long-term health care, Severity of illness index, Decision making, Treatment effectiveness, People with mental illness, Public health, Stakeholder analysis, Patients' attitudes, Caregiver attitudes, Drugs of abuse |
| Geographic Terms: |
Canada |
| Abstract: |
Background: In the midst an ongoing public health-crisis from toxic drug use, overdose deaths and compromised community safety, policy-officials in Canada have called to consider mobilizing 'involuntary treatment' (InvTx) measures for severe substance use disorders (SUDs) as interventions to reduce related health and social burdens. Methods: We identified conceptual, socio-legal/-historical, clinical/epidemiological and other empirical literature- and data-based evidence relevant to informing decision-making and policy-development related to InvTx. Key content findings were narratively summarized, and informed a set of basic recommendations for InvTx-related policy considerations. Results: Severe SUDs are chronic conditions considered 'manageable' with limited available treatment options but typically require long-term care. The evidence on the direct benefits InvTx is limited but also suggests risks of un-intended adverse outcomes (e.g., post-release mortality; recurring InvTx cycles). Patient- and caregiver-based experiences are commonly negative. While social stakes may need to be considered, InvTx raises fundamental socio-ethical questions concerning patient rights. Conclusions: InvTx may help increase initial treatment exposure for some severe SUD cases, but fundamental questions remain about its long-term benefits and adverse outcomes. InvTx should only be considered as a 'last resort' intervention and be the subject of rigorous evaluation to better assess its benefits and risks/costs for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
