Goal Statement:The goal of this social change prevention portfolio is to prevent drug relapse among people reentering their communities after a period of incarceration.
Significant Findings:The incarcerated population in the United States that meets the criteria for a substance use disorder is estimated to be 65% (National Institute on Drug Abuse ([NIDA], 2020). Penobscot County, Maine, has the second-highest incidence of drug overdoses in the state of Maine (Sorg et al., 2023). Incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to reintegration into their communities, including employment, housing, and welfare barriers, which could trigger relapse (American Bar Association ([ABA], 2018). People being released from custody are at higher risk of drug relapse during the first two weeks following release (Graves & Fendrich, 2024).
Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: Relapse prevention efforts must begin while the individual is in custody, and services must continue after release to avoid interrupting services (United States Department of Justice, 2024). Successful relapse prevention programs include community stakeholders and culturally sensitive interventions (Reese & Vera, 2007). Peer recovery supports, specialists, and coaches, as well as priority access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), non-stimulant treatment for ADHD, faith-based supports, and employment support services, are but a few of the evidence-based practices recommended to prevent drug misuse and relapse.
Comments
Goal Statement: The goal of this social change prevention portfolio is to prevent drug relapse among people reentering their communities after a period of incarceration.
Significant Findings: The incarcerated population in the United States that meets the criteria for a substance use disorder is estimated to be 65% (National Institute on Drug Abuse ([NIDA], 2020). Penobscot County, Maine, has the second-highest incidence of drug overdoses in the state of Maine (Sorg et al., 2023). Incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to reintegration into their communities, including employment, housing, and welfare barriers, which could trigger relapse (American Bar Association ([ABA], 2018). People being released from custody are at higher risk of drug relapse during the first two weeks following release (Graves & Fendrich, 2024).
Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: Relapse prevention efforts must begin while the individual is in custody, and services must continue after release to avoid interrupting services (United States Department of Justice, 2024). Successful relapse prevention programs include community stakeholders and culturally sensitive interventions (Reese & Vera, 2007). Peer recovery supports, specialists, and coaches, as well as priority access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), non-stimulant treatment for ADHD, faith-based supports, and employment support services, are but a few of the evidence-based practices recommended to prevent drug misuse and relapse.