What Predicts Continued Substance Use Among Probationers?

• In Event: Improving Outcomes in Correctional Populations

Abstract

Probation supervision is designed to motivate drug users to suppress illicit substance use, but this effect has not been adequately tested. This study examines predictors of continued illicit substance use among probationers in two urban areas. 142 substance-using probationers participating in an ongoing randomized control trial completed baseline and 2-month follow-up (2MFU) interviews. Measures include age, criminal justice (e.g., lifetime arrests), treatment/use (e.g., recent hard drug use), and psychosocial (e.g., problem recognition) factors. Bivariate analysis revealed homelessness, recent poly-substance use, recent hard drug use, substance use with family members, and peer substance use were associated with 2MFU overall drug use. Prior substance abuse treatment, age of first drug use, recent poly-substance use, recent and lifetime hard drug use, problem recognition, and substance use with family were associated with 2MFU hard drug use. Logistic regression results reveal that homelessness and recent hard drug use increased the odds of 2MFU drug use. Recent hard drug users had increased odds of 2MFU hard drug use. Probation has a limited suppression effect for people with severe substance use disorders. The identification of probationers most at risk for failure due to continued substance use should assist probation agencies in targeting probationers for behavioral health services.

Authors

• Jennifer Lerch, George Mason University

• Faye Taxman, George Mason University

• Scott T. Walters, University of North Texas Health Science Center