A Content Analysis of Involuntary Civil Commitment Petitions for Women in a Florida Civil Drug Court

This study explored why petitioners seek involuntary civil commitment (ICC) for women with substance use disorders under Florida’s Marchman Act Drug Court (MADC). Although ICC has been broadly studied, limited research has examined the specific justifications for commitment, particularly among women. A content analysis was conducted on 42 petitions filed between 2020 and 2024 in one Florida county. Petitions were coded using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach grounded in Florida’s ICC statutory guidelines. Two central themes emerged: substance use impairment and fear of harm. Petitioners frequently cited treatment resistance, social problems, and risk of self-harm, with specific concerns about overdose, suicide, and child neglect. A key limitation is that petitioners may frame their narratives to align with Florida’s statutory criteria. Findings may inform court practices, provider training, and policy decisions regarding the appropriate use and scope of civil commitment. Future research should incorporate respondent perspectives and assess long-term impacts of ICC.