Compliance to supervised disulfiram therapy: a comparison of voluntary and court-ordered patients

Am J Addict. 2003 Mar-Apr;12(2):137-43.

Abstract

We hypothesized that court mandate would significantly enhance compliance with supervised disulfiram therapy. We conducted a twelve-week prospective study of outpatient compliance with court-ordered, monitored disulfiram treatment as compared to voluntary, monitored treatment. The court ordered group (n=19) was significantly more compliant than the voluntary group (n=22). Legally mandated subjects attended an average of 87% (+/-21%) of scheduled visits, versus 42% (+/-35%) for the group without court order. Court mandate roughly doubles the compliance rate of monitored disulfiram therapy, effectively enhancing clinic attendance during the first twelve weeks of treatment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use*
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Disulfiram / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Monitoring / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outpatients / psychology
  • Patient Compliance / psychology*
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / legislation & jurisprudence*

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Disulfiram