Probation is a penal process in Turkey that allows individuals who have committed crimes to complete their sentences outside of prison, within a controlled and supportive system. The aim of this system is to keep individuals away from crime, minimize crime rates, and reintegrate them into society. This process is not only a legal obligation but also an intense psychological experience. Some of the most common situations encountered during probation processes are alcohol and substance abuse. This article aims to present an observation from the field, based on my own experiences, regarding alcohol and substance use during the probation process.
The State Of Being Trapped Between Control And Support
“The things we cannot control control us.” – Geoffrey Fisher
Because individuals are included in the control process against their will, they may feel trapped, insecure, and constantly under pressure. Since they close their consciousness to direct giving and receiving, it becomes more difficult to reach them than it would otherwise be. While control mechanisms aim to regulate behavior, they may not always take into account the individual’s internal readiness; this creates a state of being trapped that can be considered ambivalence rather than resistance to the process.
Therefore, it is healthiest to approach the process empathetically, objectively, and patiently, without making individuals feel pressured. As the sessions continue, individuals begin to understand that they are not being interrogated, but rather that everything being done is for their mental and physical well-being. This state of being trapped between control and support reveals not only the structural but also the relational dimension of the process. At this point, the quality of psychological contact established in the probation process becomes crucial. In this area, where control is inevitable, how contact is established significantly influences whether the individual experiences the process as an obligation or as a space open to cooperation.
Psychological Contact And Alcohol/Substance Abuse
Psychological contact is not therapy, but a humane process that involves participating in the other person’s journey. It is important to approach individuals with alcohol and substance abuse problems as cautiously as possible during this process, because people tend to protect themselves with a selective approach when they know they are in a legal context.
Observations from the field have shown that in interviews where psychological contact is established, individuals relax after a certain period, become accustomed to the process, and make an effort to adapt. This is because the psychological contact made contributes to the individual feeling not merely like an object being controlled, but the subject of the process.
If a certain level of contact cannot be established, and the person constantly avoids the process without inviting it in, the process becomes superficial. Unfortunately, it then becomes very difficult to provide the individual with the opportunity that is intended to be given.
Seeing The Human Being: An Ethical Perspective
The probation process inherently involves an asymmetrical power relationship. This asymmetry means that every contact established carries an ethical responsibility. The language used in this process is not limited to simply conveying information; it is also crucial in establishing the trusting context necessary for ethical communication.
The individual tries to perceive how the other party positions them and the level of judgment they feel. Approaching with impactful and ethical language conveys the message to the individual: “Yes, we have boundaries, but I understand you and I am here to help you; you can trust me.” One of the most important elements to consider here is recognizing that the person opposite you is a human being, not merely a criminal, and acting accordingly.
Individuals with alcohol and substance abuse problems often face a double-sided stigma. The probation process therefore requires additional sensitivity and understanding. The goal is not to normalize alcohol and substance abuse, but to allow the individual to actively participate in the process. Because individual interviews, group work, and seminars conducted within the probation system create highly positive developments over time. In this context, psychological contact can be considered not only an element that facilitates the probation process but also an ethical stance that protects the individual’s human dignity.
Small Contacts Have Big Impacts
While working with alcohol and substance addiction at the Probation Directorate, although it is difficult for individuals to adjust to the process at first, observing the positive changes in those who allow themselves to be helped, witnessing their reintegration into society, and most importantly, knowing that we are contributing to their ability to rediscover their own worth, is the greatest reward we can receive.
It should not be forgotten that the balance between control and contact is closely related to the quality of psychological contact.
Every controlled process remains only an obligation if it does not encounter contact.