Medical-legal problems associated with drug abuse

Abstract

The dysfunctions derived from the consumption of alcohol and drugs are the cause of multiple problems in different spheres of Law. To resolve them, judges and tribunals require an expert report assessing the condition of the patient enabling them to ascertain the real situation prior to reaching a decision. For the psychopathological evaluation we propose 2 criteria, one medical based on the clinical symptoms and signs, the seriousness of the case and the commencement of the same in relation to the facts of the legal case in question, and another legal- medical one which lists the facts with the medical condition of the patient on the basis of a structural analysis of his/her cognitive and volitive functions and a study of the seriousness of the addiction. Given the frequency with which addictive behaviours coexist with other psychiatric pathologies, we propose a complete study based on prospective methods (patient followups), retrospectives (based on self-reports referring to specific periods) and objectives (analysis and different laboratory tests) for the correct differential diagnosis between dysfunctions induced by drugs and other psychiatric dysfunctions. Lastly and for the evaluation for the prognosis, we propose to study the elements that can influence the success or the failure of the medical or psychosocial attention to the problem, basically: 1) the factors that motivate the consumption, 2) the reasons that motivate the request for assistance in giving up consumption, and 3) viability of the proposed therapeutic plan.