The Impact of Arrest on Substance Abuse Treatment Admission
Author Information
Author(s): Sheryl Pimlott Kubiak, Cynthia L. Arfken, James A. Swartz, Alison L. Koch
Primary Institution: Wayne State University
Hypothesis
Does arrest increase the likelihood of individuals with substance use disorders seeking treatment?
Conclusion
Arrest serves as a significant opportunity for intervention, yet only a small percentage of those arrested with substance use disorders actually receive treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- 44.8% of those arrested met criteria for a substance use disorder.
- Only 14% of those arrested with a substance use disorder received treatment in the year of their arrest.
- Arrest was found to be an independent predictor of treatment admission.
- Individuals under supervision were most likely to receive treatment.
Takeaway
When people get arrested, it can help them realize they need help for their drug problems, but most of them still don't get the treatment they need.
Methodology
Data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was analyzed to compare treatment need and admission among individuals with different criminal justice involvement.
Potential Biases
Self-reporting may lead to underreporting of arrests and substance use, affecting the accuracy of the findings.
Limitations
The study relies on self-reported data, which may underestimate behaviors like drug use and arrest, and does not account for individuals incarcerated at the time of the survey.
Participant Demographics
The sample included adults aged 18 and older, with a significant proportion being male, younger, and from minority racial or ethnic groups.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 8.89–17.10
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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