Should Relapse Always Be Punished? A Survey Study into Forensic Social Professionals’ Attitudes to Substance Use

• Author: Vivienne de Vogel,Lianne Kleijer-Kool,Jolein Monnee-van Doormalen
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211023920
• Published date: 01 March 2023
• Date: 01 March 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211023920

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2023, Vol. 67(4) 314 –326

© The Author(s) 2021

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X211023920

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Article

Should Relapse Always

Be Punished? A Survey

Study into Forensic Social

Professionals’ Attitudes

to Substance Use

Vivienne de Vogel1, Lianne Kleijer-Kool1,

and Jolein Monnee-van Doormalen1

Abstract

Health professionals’ attitudes to substance abusers have been reported as suboptimal

with potential adverse consequences for the quality of health care provided. Less

is known about professionals working with addicted clients in mandated contexts.

The aim of this study is to gain insight into forensic social professionals’ attitudes

to substance use and examine differences between subgroups of professionals. An

online survey including the Brief Substance Abuse Attitude Scale was completed

by 314 Dutch forensic social professionals. Overall, forensic social professionals’

attitudes to substance use and treatability were positive, but there were differences

regarding needed treatment interventions and ways of controlling substance use.

Professionals who work within specialist addiction services had less moralistic and

stereotypical attitudes. Professionals who have personal experiences with addiction

reported to be more tolerant, but at the same time more convinced of strict control

of substances use of their clients.

Keywords

substance abuse, attitudes, addiction treatability, involuntary clients, probation,

forensic mental health care

1University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Netherlands

Corresponding Author:

Vivienne de Vogel, Centre for Social Innovation, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, PO Box 85397,

Utrecht 3508 AJ, The Netherlands.

Email: vivienne.devogel@hu.nl

1023920IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X211023920International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminologyde Vogel et al.

research-article2021