Is Success in Drug Court About Drugs? Examining the Impact of Adding a Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Intervention

• In Event: Drug Treatment Courts in the Age of Narcotics Epidemic

Abstract

There is a scarcity of research about the use of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) interventions in drug treatment courts (DTCs). This research study begins to fill this gap by examining if, how, and why the introduction of CBT in a large Midwestern County’s DTC has an impact on clients’ ability to successfully complete the program. The Thinking for a Change (T4C) intervention was introduced in the sixth year of the DTC, and is now a requirement for graduation. The sample includes approximately 475 male and female DTC clients, with about 100 having enrolled in T4C. Statistical analyses using Chi-square (χ2), t-tests, and logistic regression will compare the characteristics of T4C completers and non-completers, as well as the impact of T4C participation on graduating from the DTC program. Information collected from several focus groups and a satisfaction survey with T4C participants, as well as a focus group with facilitators, will be examined to flesh out the quantitative findings regarding if, how, and why the intervention is working or not working as intended. Implications of the findings for drug treatment court policies and practices will be discussed.

Authors

• Thomas P. LeBel, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

• Matt Richie, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

• Michael Fendrich, University of Connecticut