NCJ Number
209034
Date Published
October 2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an overview of a number of new approaches to the treatment of addiction and substance abuse, with attention to their applicability in correctional settings in Canada.
Abstract
In describing general treatment strategies, four approaches are described: harm reduction, stages of change, relapse prevention, and motivational interviewing. Treatment based in harm reduction focuses on the negative effects of drug or alcohol misuse on the offender and the community, as it assists clients in developing knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes that will reduce the negative consequences of drug use for the user and the community. The stages-of-change model allows treatment providers to match treatment to an individual's willingness to change. Under this model, five stages of change are distinguished, and methods for moving persons through these stages are suggested. The goals of relapse prevention are to provide information to the client that is useful in recognizing high-risk situations that may lead to relapse, as well as the skills needed to deal with the relapse when it does occur. Motivation interviewing is a proven way to help people recognize and do something about their existing or potential problem. It is particularly useful with people who are reluctant to change or are ambivalent about changing. The paper concludes with descriptions of six substance abuse treatment programs that have emerged from research and development conducted by Correctional Service Canada. These are the Women Offenders Substance Abuse Program, intensive support units in prisons, methadone maintenance treatment, the Offender Substance Abuse Prerelease Program, computerized Assessment of Substance Abuse, and the International Experts Forum. 2 figures, 1 table, and 20 references