Behind the bars of addiction: Rehabilitation in a criminal setting

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By Mimisha Deka



Rehabilitation psychology is a vital field that focuses on applying psychological knowledge to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Its primary goal is to enhance quality of life and foster mental and social functioning. Rehabilitation psychologists achieve this through clinical practice, research, education, social policy development, and advocacy, working with individuals across all age groups, from childhood through adulthood. One area in which rehabilitation psychology plays a crucial role is in addressing substance use disorders (SUDs), especially within the context of the criminal justice system. 


Substance use disorders are a widespread issue among incarcerated populations. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 85% of incarcerated individuals have a history of drug abuse or an active substance use disorder. Many of these individuals land in jail due to drug-related activities or because they cannot afford proper treatment for their addiction. Unfortunately, incarceration often exacerbates their problems rather than resolving them. Instead of receiving the help they need, these individuals face further challenges, such as financial hardship or even the possibility of committing more severe offenses. As a result, relying solely on the prison system to handle individuals with drug problems is far from an effective solution. 


The cycle of addiction is deeply ingrained, and quitting is not as simple as many may assume. Addiction is a chronic condition that requires comprehensive treatment, yet jails and prisons are ill-equipped to provide the necessary medical and psychological support. A better alternative is drug rehabilitation programs, which focus on helping individuals break free from their dependence on drugs and alcohol. Comparing the benefits of rehab to jail time highlights the profound difference in outcomes for individuals struggling with addiction. The connection between substance abuse and incarceration is clear: individuals with addiction are significantly more likely to face drug charges, leading them into the legal system. In fact, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, one in five incarcerated individuals is serving time for a drug-related offense. Alarmingly, many of these charges stem from nonviolent crimes, such as simple possession. Once convicted, individuals face a legal system that often fails to address the root causes of their addiction, trapping them in a cycle of relapse, reoffense, and imprisonment. 


Having a criminal record can make reintegrating into society after incarceration even more difficult. Many people with drug-related charges struggle to find housing or employment because background checks reveal their past criminal activities. This stigma compounds the challenges they face in overcoming addiction and rebuilding their lives. Moreover, the lack of adequate resources in prisons, including medical attention and support for withdrawal symptoms, makes it even harder for individuals to detox and recover in a healthy and safe manner. As a result, jail sentences frequently keep individuals trapped in their addiction instead of providing the opportunity to escape it.


Court-ordered treatment programs offer a promising alternative to incarceration for those with substance use disorders. Rather than sending individuals to jail, where they are unlikely to receive the help they need, rehabilitation programs focus on providing the necessary support and resources to overcome addiction. Drug rehab facilities are specifically designed to help individuals separate from drugs and alcohol while equipping them with the tools they need to live substance-free lives. With proper medical care, counseling, and a supportive environment, people in rehab are far more likely to recover than those in jail. For individuals who are genuinely committed to overcoming addiction, time spent in a rehab facility can be transformative. Rehab not only helps them detox but also teaches them valuable life skills that promote long-term recovery. It gives individuals the chance to break free from the patterns of behavior that fuel their addiction and to reintegrate into society with a renewed sense of purpose. 


In contrast, jail offers little to no education on the nature of addiction or how to manage it, making it an ineffective solution for substance-related issues. Rehabilitation programs provide a critical escape from the cycle of addiction that keeps so many individuals trapped in the criminal justice system. Instead of pushing people deeper into a system that offers little hope for recovery, rehab programs set individuals on the path to long-term sobriety. These programs give individuals the time, support, and resources they need to develop new coping strategies and build a solid foundation for recovery. Upon completing treatment, individuals return to society better equipped to support themselves, care for their families, and contribute to their communities.


If individuals struggling with addiction are immediately incarcerated, their chances of achieving sobriety are slim. In jail, they are often exposed to the same substances they were trying to escape in the first place, and they have little access to the resources they need to quit. The American Public Health Association reports that only 11% of individuals with substance use disorders receive treatment while behind bars. Without addressing the root causes of their incarceration, it becomes nearly impossible to prevent repeat offenses. Incarceration does little to help individuals overcome addiction. In fact, for many, jail is a place where they can continue their drug use due to the availability of illicit substances behind bars. This creates a vicious cycle where individuals are trapped in their addiction, making it even more difficult to break free. 


Moreover, a criminal record makes reintegrating into society incredibly challenging, with barriers to finding employment and housing further hindering recovery. The stigma of a criminal record can make the already difficult journey of overcoming addiction feel insurmountable.

The solution lies in recognizing that addiction is a complex, chronic condition that requires proper treatment, not punishment. Sending individuals to rehabilitation programs instead of jail offers them a genuine chance at recovery. By addressing the underlying issues that lead to their substance use, rehab programs provide individuals with the tools they need to build healthier, more fulfilling lives. In the long run, this proactive approach is far more effective than incarceration in helping individuals escape the chains of addiction and reintegrate into society.


Rehabilitation psychology plays a vital role in advocating for policies and interventions that promote recovery over punishment. By focusing on treatment rather than incarceration, we can create a more compassionate and effective system that helps individuals overcome addiction, reduces recidivism, and improves overall public health.




About the author 


Mimisha Deka is a student at NMIMS Mumbai, pursuing B.Sc in Applied Psychology. Other than trying to live the “Loralai Gilmore” life, her other interests are dancing, singing and playing ukulele. Her life depends on her to-do lists, shopping and rewatching the office, the big bang theory, gilmore girls and b99. If you ever want to have a deep conversation about life or discuss plots of true crime documentaries, she’s your go-to girl. Kind hearted, gregarious and optimistic are the words that perfectly describe her to a tee. 








REFERENCES 


Alvarado, K. G. (2021, September 29). What is the Relationship Between Drug Use and Crime? Law Offices of Kathleen G. Alvarado | Riverside, CA. https://www.kalvaradolaw.com/blog/2021/09/relationship-between-drug-use-and-crime/ 

Gerstein, D. R., & Harwood, H. J. (1992). Drug treatment in state prisons. Treating Drug Problems - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234751/ 

MacKey, B., MacKey, B., & MacKey, B. (2022, February 28). Criminality and Addiction - Rehab 4 Addiction. Rehab 4 Addiction. https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/guides/resources-criminality-addiction 

Recovery, P. V. (2024, August 18). Rehab vs. jail time: How drug rehab provides a path to recovery. Peace Valley Recovery. https://www.peacevalleyrecovery.com/blog/rehab-vs-jail-time/ 

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Biological psychology | Neuroscience, Behavior & Mental Health. Encyclopedia Britannica.  https://www.britannica.com/science/biological-psychology 

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2021). Developing Interventions for Drug Users in Prison: Good Practice guide. In UNODC Project GLO/H43: Treatnet – International Network of Drug Dependence Treatment and Rehabilitation Resource Centres. https://www.unodc.org/documents/drug-prevention-and-treatment/UNODC_TX_in_Prisons.pdf 

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