Dual diagnosis and compulsory treatment of alcohol and drug dependent patients in Health Region South, Norway.

Background: The Norwegian Social and Welfare Act of 1992 (LOST), opened for compulsory commitment of patients with serious alcohol and drug problems to inpatient care. Apart from one doctoral thesis, which dealt with the legal aspects, there are no Norweg ian studies in this field. Clinical research of dual diagnosed patients, and especially those who are compulsory committed, are demanded by the health authorities of Norway. Because there has been limited examination / screening and no post-treatment rese arch efforts on this group of patients, we have limited knowledge of this type of treatment and the patient group. Do compulsory treated patients differ from those voluntarily admitted? Does this type of treatment influence the patients' motivation to cha nge, and does the treatment effort lead to positive outcome effects in the long run? Material and methods A quasi-experimental, prospective study will be conducted. Compulsory committed patients in Health Region South, Norway, during a two year period, will be compared with a comparison group of voluntary admitted patients on the same wards. The two groups will be compared regarding 1) description and screening 2) motivational change and 3) outcome results after 12- months. Relevance: Both official au thorities 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. Comparison with Swedish results and exp eriences may give a clue to which treatment approach to compulsory treatment is better.