The Similarities and Differences of Desistance and Recovery Processes: A Theoretical Bridge

• In Event: Considering and Evaluating Choice-Based Policies and Perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to create a deeper understanding into two complex processes that often occur within the same individuals: desistance from crime and recovery from drugs. Oftentimes, these processes are studied separately even though a majority of justice-involved individuals use and/or misuse drugs. Gaining more knowledge about how these processes interact (or don't) would be valuable for supporting successful treatment and reentry. To study these processes together, I used secondary qualitative data that covered 20 years of life from individuals who had been incarcerated and also had misused drugs. Results showed that these two processes can be explained within the same theory, the Identity Theory of Desistance (Paternoster & Bushway, 2009), which centers on the value of human agency. While both recovery and desistance were explained within the same theoretical framework, there were also important differences. These differences are able to account for important recovery mainstays (e.g. "rock bottom") that we see in much of the addiction research, lending credence to the interdisciplinary theoretical integration. The findings of this study support interdisciplinary research when it comes to both criminology and addiction studies and offers insight to improve risk assessments and treatment for people involved in the justice system.

Author

• Shannon Streisel, Crime and Justice Institute - Community Resources for Justice