The effect of substance use on the criminal justice system is significant. Research studies have constantly proven that illegal drugs and alcohol figure increase in criminal transgression. Over the last few decades, participation in criminal activity and growth of the prison population have contributed the use and abuse of substances. Treatment therapy can be effective in helping to reduce relapse and recidivism. Recently, Meta-analysis of the imprisonment based drug treatment literature was evidenced by Mitchell et al. who found that treatment substantially reduced consequent criminal offending and drug use in their study of 66 evaluations. The average treatment impacts sizes for re-offense and drug use were odds ratio 1.37 and 1.28, respectively.
Because of the rise in charges of the penalties caused from the war on drugs, national and state prison populations have increased exponentially over the last twenty years (Duwe, 2010). Drug crimes accounted for 20 % of state inmates in 2005 and 53% of all national prisoners in 2006 within Minnesota while the percentage of drug offenders in the cumulative population increased from 4% in 1989 to 20% in 2008. However, the percentage of drug offenders represents only a section of those who need chemical dependency (CD) treatment therapy. Having the relatively high rate of substance abuse and dependency among imprisoned offenders, there was a need to put emphasis and efforts to reduce their risk of recidivism that often include the provision of prison-based CD treatment (Duwe, 2010).
Several issues affect the effectiveness and availability of treatment in jails. It has been the proficiency of accord panel members that treatment, if available may not be presented to those in need due to the methods for selecting and screening treatment accomplices may not be complete. For instance, some inmates may view the duration of jail stay as too short for drug abuse intervention. Others, especially those who are in pre-trial stage may decline to take part in the intervention program even if it is available. Some programs are not always appealing to the inmates’ social, psychological, mental health needs, medical. Some inmates also have special needs that are too convoluted to be addressed fully in brief or short-term treatment (Peters & Wexler, 2005).
One of the most serious challenges for substance abuse treatment therapy in jails is the small amount of time available, both in terms duration of jail imprisonment and the terms of scheduling treatment. Individuals who have not attended trials are kept in jail for a short period of time and as such, it is clear that time constraints play a significant role in treatment efficacy. This is illustrated by a correlation between the length of time an individual spends in treatment and treatment effectiveness (Peters & Wexler, 2005).
To begin with, many substance abusers embark on a treatment recovery program with the help of medical professional. The first step in this journey involves a supervised detoxification plan, procedures employed in this aspect involve comfortable and safe measures to rid the body of substances and thus eliminate any lethal effects posed during the initial recovery period from drug addiction and alcohol use (Peters & Wexler, 2005).
This treatment program can be implemented in two ways. Either through an inpatient program or one that involves an outpatient orientation. Even though the period during which an individual attends treatment sessions may be different, at some point in the process, an individual’s craving s will subside. Recovering addicts are, however, encouraged to continue seeking help in terms of addiction treatment. Therefore, a well-structured aftercare plan is necessary as it is aimed at eliciting a lasting recovery, void of drug use.
As such, a treatment facility will not send individuals half-baked, and without skills to mitigate urges and cravings. In this manner, a stable discharge plan is emphasized for addiction treatment. An individual will thus be afforded a quality aftercare plan, where regardless of the service provider, change in setting or methods used, the goals will remain similar.
Aftercare programs seek to alleviate ways in which relapse can occur. They also attempt to aid an individual maintain sobriety after they have eradicated drug use or alcohol abuse. As such, once an individual is cured of substance abuse, the care facility helps them develop long term goals that are aloof from previous traits in a bid to develop good relationships. An individual thus finds a sense of purpose, further aiding in drug addiction eradication.
A person’ brain is ultimately affected by long term drug use. In this manner, it is important to continue with treatment to ensure that aftercare programs are effective in alleviating cravings. Aftercare treatment is necessary as a measure to counter physical issues that are developed due to drug use such as thoughts, feelings and behavior. Issues developed in these aspects are observable even after a person quits abusing substances. Therefore, an individual should be aided as they seek reintegration in society.
