Civil Commitment for Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders: Does It Work?
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development
Published on: January 26, 2013
Abhishek Jain1, Paul Christopher1, Paul S Appelbaum1
1Dr. Jain is a research fellow in forensic psychiatry with the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City. Dr. Christopher is assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Appelbaum, who is editor of this column, is the Elizabeth K. Dollard Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine and Law in the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City.
Abstract:
Many states are turning to civil commitment for substance use disorders as a potential solution to address rising rates of overdose deaths. Civil commitment allows family members or others to seek court-ordered involuntary treatment for a substance-abusing person. In contrast to mandatory treatment ordered by drug courts, civil commitment does not require involvement with the criminal justice system. Although these laws are understandably appealing, statutes and their implementation are highly variable, ethical concerns about deprivation of liberty continue to be raised, and outcome data are limited and often not generalizable. Above all, more studies are needed to determine effectiveness.
Related Concept Videos
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Lineage Commitment
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Deleterious Substances in Aggregate
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

