Diagnostic profiles of offenders in substance abuse treatment programs

Abstract

This study examined the association of Axis I and Axis II disorders among offenders who were in prison-based substance abuse treatment in a national multi-site study. Participants (N = 280) received a psychosocial assessment and a structured diagnostic interview in two separate sessions. Logistic regression models examined the association between lifetime mood and anxiety disorders with two personality disorders, and the relationship of Axis I and Axis II disorders (alone and in combination) to pre-treatment psychosocial functioning. Over two-thirds of the sample met criteria for at least one mental disorder. Borderline personality disorder was strongly associated with having a lifetime mood disorder (odds ratio = 7.5) or lifetime anxiety disorder (odds ratio = 8.7). Individuals with only an Axis II disorder, or who had both Axis I and Axis II disorders, had more severe problems in psychosocial functioning than those without any disorder. Clinical treatment approaches need to address this heterogeneity in diagnostic profiles, symptom severity, and psychosocial functioning.

Criminal Behaviour in Users of Psychoactive Substances Who Began Treatment

“…Substance use, abuse and dependence among individuals with ASDP is relatively common, a fact that may corroborate the findings here [22,23]. This was seen in a number of studies that analysed samples from substance users whose levels of correlation with antisocial personality disorder varied from 20% to 68% [24]. The wide variation seems to be in function of the nature of the samples, most of which were comprised in prison inmates.…”

Psychiatric needs of male prison inmates in Italy

“…Notably 80% of inmates with substance use disorders had a comorbid psychiatric disorder; most commonly anxiety disorders and personality disorders. There are few data on comorbidity in men in prison; however, high rates of comorbid disorders have been reported among prisoners with substance use disorders in studies of those with identified mental health needs (Berto, Tartari, Tabacchi, Gerra, & Tamburino, 2005;Chiles, Von Cleve, Jemelka, & Trupin, 1990;Grella, Greenwell, Prendergast, Sacks, & Melnick, 2008;National Gains Center, 1997;Palijan, Muzinić, & Radeljak, 2009;Peters & Hills, 1993).…”

Reentry programming for opioid and opiate involved female offenders: Findings from a mixed methods evaluation

“…Henderson, 1998). The presence of co-occurring disorders has significant implications for reentry as both conditions (i.e., substance abuse and psychiatric disorders) have been linked to higher recidivism and relapse rates (Grella, Greenwell, Prendergast, Sacks, & Melnick, 2008;McNiel, Binder, & Robinson, 2005). Prior research has also shown that offenders with co-occurring disorders have worse treatment outcomes than those with a single disorder (Messina, Burdon, Hagopian, & Prendergast, 2006).…”