Determinants of Recent Substance Abuse among Jail Inmates Referred for Treatment

Abstract

Significant numbers of new arrestees to jail have a history of drug or alcohol use. Many of these individuals have experienced multiple relapses, which tend to accelerate the level of criminal behavior and to increase the likelihood of arrest and incarceration. The present study examines the pattern of determinants of recent substance abuse among inmates referred for treatment in a metropolitan jail. The majority (87%) of inmates reported intrapersonal determinants of recent use, including coping with negative emotional states (41%) such as depression, anxiety and tension, and enhancement of positive emotional states (35%). Although no major differences in the pattern of determinants were found with respect to the type of major problem substance reported, several gender differences were observed. Implications for the design of substance abuse treatment programs within the criminal justice system are discussed, and recommendations are presented for further research investigating differences between determinants of “relapse” and “recent use” among offenders.