NCJ Number
184981
Date Published
May 1996
Length
85 pages
Annotation
This study assessed correlates and predictors of post-treatment recidivism and relapse for parolees who received substance abuse treatment in a prison based modified Therapeutic Community in Texas.
Abstract
The study assessed 293 parolees. Results of the study indicated that psychological functioning and completing an aftercare treatment program were predictive of post-treatment outcomes. Specifically, presence of depression symptoms, which were assessed approximately 2 months prior to the offenders leaving primary treatment, and not completing a transitional aftercare program predicted higher post-treatment arrest rates within the first 6 months after leaving the Therapeutic Community. Lower self-esteem, higher levels of pre-incarceration cocaine use, and not completing the aftercare program were predictive of relapse to cocaine and opioid use during the 6 months following the Therapeutic Community treatment. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future studies are discussed.