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Justice-Involved Veterans: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Conditions and Utilization of Care After Prison Incarceration

Fri, Nov 21, 11:00am to 12:20pm, Marriott, Pacific C, 4th Floor

Abstract

Connecting Veterans to needed mental health (MH) or substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services may reduce criminal justice recidivism and homelessness. We examined MH/SUD utilization rates among Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Healthcare for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) patients exiting prison incarceration. Using VHA health records from fiscal years 2008-2012, we selected all Veterans nationally (N = 23,476) who had contact with the HCRV program. Utilization of treatment included the number of MH or SUD outpatient visits, number of MH or SUD inpatient/residential stays, and use of pharmacotherapy for alcohol or opioid dependence within 1 year after the initial HCRV outreach visit. In our sample, 36% were diagnosed with at least one MH and 37% with at least one SUD condition. Of those with a MH condition, 89% received some MH treatment. Of those with a SUD condition, 82% received some MH treatment and 53% received some SUD treatment. Veterans had lower odds of entering and engaging in MH/SUD care if they were female, under age 25, lived in a rural area, or were diagnosed with a SUD condition only. Interventions to augment HCRV and address treatment barriers in these areas are being piloted to increase treatment entry and engagement.

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