Chemical restraint of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in Queensland, Australia: Views of statutory decision makers

Abstract

According to guardians, CR may be used in lieu of community supports, and prescribers sometimes diagnose mental illness to avoid CR legislative requirements. Guardians, prescribers and professionals would benefit from training that addresses the intersection between physical and mental health, CB and CR.

The potential unintended consequences of Mental Health Act reforms in England and Wales on people with intellectual disability and/or autism

“…The ambiguity of how to manage people with ID/A in Australia due to the lack of a defined legal structure has led to the use of psychotropic medication in lieu of community support, and prescribers sometimes diagnose ‘mental illness’ to avoid legislative requirements related to chemical restraints. 6 This is in addition to those with ‘serious behavioural problems’ continuing to remain in psychiatric institutions hospitals because this is an ICD diagnosis. 7…”

Impact of the Care and Coercion Act on recorded involuntary care in intellectual disability care: a time‐series analysis

“…2022), deliberately misdiagnosing clients to receive care in Australia (Edwards et al . 2018), or being forced into the criminal justice system, which is unable to meet the needs of people with IDs in New Zealand (Brookbanks 2019; Taylor 2022). Therefore, implementing the CCA in the Netherlands needs to go side by side with cultural and behavioural changes in care organisations for people with IDs.…”

“…Legislation such as the CCA that protects the freedom of choice of clients receiving long-term care does not necessarily have an immediate effect on care and support in everyday practice (Northway et al 2007;Björne et al 2022). Comparable legislation in other countries even showed unintended consequences and side-effects, such as unregistered use of restrictive measures in Sweden (Björne et al 2022), deliberately misdiagnosing clients to receive care in Australia (Edwards et al 2018), or being forced into the criminal justice system, which is unable to meet the needs of people with IDs in New Zealand (Brookbanks 2019;Taylor 2022). Therefore, implementing the CCA in the Netherlands needs to go side by side with cultural and behavioural changes in care organisations for people with IDs.…”

The Use of Chemical Control Within Coercive Controlling Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse

“…However, while the (mis)use of substances such as prescribed medication can be used by domestic abuse perpetrators to psychologically, emotionally, or physically restrain/ constrain victims-survivors, it is important to distinguish this from the existing concept of chemical restraint (CR) that is applied within health care or institutional settings. The concept of CR in these settings refers to the use of interventions/ practices that restrict the rights or freedom of movement of an individual seemingly to prevent harm and although based on the fundamental guiding principles of safety, care, and well-being of individuals (Preisz & Preisz, 2020) is much critiqued as a form of restrictive practice (Edwards et al, 2020). Our research aimed to explore how IPVA perpetrators may be using similar "chemical restraint" against their victims.…”