Tawandra L Rowell-Cunsolo1, Betsy Szeto2, Charlotte McDonald3, Nabila El-Bassel4. 1. School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. 2. Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. 3. State University of New York - Downstate, College of Nursing, Brooklyn, NY, USA. 4. Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract
AIMS: The number of drug dependent individuals incarcerated in the U.S. is exceptionally high, and reportedly 60 percent of incarcerated Black Americans have a substance abuse disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with return to illicit drug use post-incarceration. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 121 formerly incarcerated Black Americans in New York City to examine predictors of return to illicit drug use. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated on the outcome of time-to-drug use for various predictors and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify significant predictors of return to illicit drug use post-incarceration. FINDINGS: Approximately 83 percent (n=100) of the participants reported a history of illicit drug use, not including participants who have only used marijuana. Out of 121 participants, 36 (29.8%) had used drugs within one day after release. By two weeks after release, half had used drugs. Gender and history of heroin use were significant predictors of time-to-drug use according to the log rank test. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for immediate return to drug use among our sample suggests that discharge support programs that focus specifically on healthy decision-making among women and heroin users are especially critical.
AIMS: The number of drug dependent individuals incarcerated in the U.S. is exceptionally high, and reportedly 60 percent of incarcerated Black Americans have a substance abuse disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with return to illicit drug use post-incarceration. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 121 formerly incarcerated Black Americans in New York City to examine predictors of return to illicit drug use. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated on the outcome of time-to-drug use for various predictors and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify significant predictors of return to illicit drug use post-incarceration. FINDINGS: Approximately 83 percent (n=100) of the participants reported a history of illicit drug use, not including participants who have only used marijuana. Out of 121 participants, 36 (29.8%) had used drugs within one day after release. By two weeks after release, half had used drugs. Gender and history of heroin use were significant predictors of time-to-drug use according to the log rank test. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for immediate return to drug use among our sample suggests that discharge support programs that focus specifically on healthy decision-making among women and heroin users are especially critical.
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