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Student’s Name

Course

Instructor

November 26, 2025

Rehabilitation, Treatment and Job Training

Treatment of Persons suffering from Drug Abuse or Dependence

Rehabilitation, treatment and job training is primarily centered on “cures” and “fixes”. In

treating persons suffering from drug abuse or dependence. Treatment seeks to deal with

individuals who are addicted to drugs, particularly illegal drugs. This are remains underexplored

over the years, considering focus has been directed on incarcerating the individuals, as opposed

to addressing their individual needs. Findings from research the limited availability of drug

treatment within America’s correctional system. Accordingly, consistent attempts in drug

treatment is deemed highly effective, over the course of time. A key component is grounded in

the overall efficiency of treatment, especially in instances where the offenders do not want to

partake of it. At the very core, drug treatment is considered effective when it is targeted at the

offenders’ criminogenic needs. Criminogenic needs refer to the attributes of offenders that are

strongly linked to criminal behavior, such as associations with delinquent peers, skill deficiencies

and antisocial attitudes. Given the different types of treatment, it is worth noting that treatment

only proceeds on grounds of a person’s degree of responsivity. Furthermore, some offenders also

have a heightened risk for failure compared to others (Worrall, 2019, p.290). Drug treatment

ought to adopt a rather comprehensive approach, where it targets several criminogenic needs. In

extreme cases, where need arises, it may bee necessary to force offenders to stay in treatment.

Overall, this leads to long-term benefits for them, coupled by substantial changes in their

behavior during the course of treatment.

In prison drug treatment usually occurs in therapeutic community settings that adopt a

hierarchical model with different phases. Each of the stages is indicative of an increased level of

personal and social responsibility of the offender. Findings report the efficiency of in-prison
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communities in reducing continued drug abuse. However, the overall effectiveness is dependent

on the type of drug being targeted. Out of prison drug treatment is only effective if it has been

preceded by other forms of in-prison drug treatment. Essentially, the in-person drug treatment

lays the foundation, thus allowing one to keep track when away from prison. Integration of

therapeutic communities in prison, then later following by treatment in the community has been

classified as being effective in fostering recidivism rates.

There are different types of treatment for drug abuse, all adopting a unique approach.

Detoxification treatment focuses on eliminating the drugs from the system. This is usually the

initial step before proceeding to effective drug treatment. Notably, detoxification ought to be

undertaken in a manner that does not hinder the body’s physiology. Next, self-help groups as a

form of treatment encompasses peer support and problem confrontation in a group setting. Peer

support provides a platform for individuals to candidly share their struggles in drug addiction.

This instills a sense of oneness among the individuals, knowing they are not alone. Within the

peers are usually individuals who have conquered the addictions, showcasing that it is possible

for the addicts to follow suit. Through the process of sharing, members of the groups also share

insight on coping mechanisms, thus gaining the required social support. Problem confrontation in

the self-help groups seeks to pinpoint the root of the addiction, identify whether it is a coping

mechanism, and how best can the people counter it. Additionally, self-help groups help in

fostering accountability among the members, since they are able to follow-up on each other’s

progress, and struggles. Education as a treatment method focuses on increasing awareness among

the drug addicts on a series of topics affecting them. This equips them to make informed

decisions once they have an in-depth understanding of the consequences of their choices. The

education topics usually range from the short and long-term effects of certain drugs and the
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illogical thinking patterns on account of the drugs. Individual counselling as a form of treatment

incorporates on the different psychological modalities, ranging from behavioral or

psychoanalytic. Adopting a personal approach ensures the counsellor walks the journey with the

addict, thus considered as effective. Group counselling, on the other hand, adopts a unique

approach, with its focus on reversal of roles, stress management and life skills rehearsals. This

ensures the members of the group are able to learn together. Under the life skills rehearsal, they

are provided with a platform to rehearse key skills that would be useful. Life skills training is

essential, considering at one point or another, humans are forced to make difficult decisions and

choices. Life skills equip one with the resources necessary for countering the challenges of life.

There are three types of life skills, namely drug resistance, personal self-management and people

general social skills. Drug resistance skills are taught when the offender is younger, equipping

them to choose clean and sober lifestyles. San-Diego research on prison-based life skills training

identified that participants in the treatment group had relatively fewer rearrests and reconvictions

upon completion of the program. However, another study revealed contradictory findings,

whereby the life skills training participants were reconvicted more compared to those who

received basic cognitive training. The two studies led to conclusion of how the effects of life

skills training vary considerably, all depending on the population under study.

Drug testing, especially urine testing is crucial for tracking deterrence and overall

maintenance. However, solely relying on drug testing for treatment is to an extent limited.

Findings from a study on juvenile parolees in California reported no improved outcomes from

undertaking frequent drug testing (Haapanen & Britton, 2002). Integrating drug testing with

other treatment interventions has been reported to be effective in helping offenders deal with

drug addiction (Harrell et al., 2002). Outpatient drug-free consists an array of techniques,
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ranging from education, counselling, 12-step, self-help and cognitive behavior therapy. Milieu

therapy entails intensive counselling and separate living conditions, such that it is intensified

compared to individual counselling. It is however less intensive than therapeutic communities.

Residential programs are usually long-term and comprehensive, demanding the offenders to be

isolated (Worrall, 2019). Adoption of a comprehensive approach ensures the programs

incorporate social learning, education and counselling. Pharmacological maintenance focuses on

medical therapy for countering long-term drug use, especially alcohol and heroin. Finally,

transitional services are provided for relapse prevention services, crucial for helping the

offenders to transition into the community.

Problem of Drug Abuse and Dependence among Incarcerated Persons

The issue of drug abuse and dependence among incarcerated persons has been quite

pervasive through the decades, demanding a targeted approach in countering it. There is a strong

correlation between drug abuse and criminal behavior. This is grounded on the offenders’

inability to make clear decision, since the drugs impede their decision-making capability. Failure

to address the issue of addiction translates into higher recidivism rates, thereby fueling the cycle.

Drug abuse among offenders translates into anger management issues. This ripple effect, when

left unaddressed, usually has a grave impact on the offenders, trickling into other areas of their

lives.

My Views on whether Persons who Abuse or are Dependent on Drugs should be

Incarcerated or Treated in a Community Setting

Treatment of people who abuse drugs or are dependent on drugs ought to be undertaken

in a community setting as opposed to incarceration. The community setting provides a unique

touch to the persons, allowing them to receive holistic intervention. Allowing them to be part of
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the community provides them with a platform to address the contributing factors, as opposed to

isolating them in prison. Within the community setting, the drug addicts are still able to maintain

their ties, and normalcy of their lives such as education and work. Treatment in community

settings helps to establish routines, systems and structures to deal with the addictions. Critically

looking into one’s routine sheds light into periods which periods and scenarios that provide a

leeway for engaging in drug abuse. Accordingly, community treatment incorporates the

criminogenic needs in its interventions, finding the best approach to address them. The holistic

approach adopted in the community setting has pervasive effects, allowing them to recover from

the same environment where the addiction began from (Worrall, 2019). Existence of peer groups

also fosters accountability among the addicts, as they journey together in their recovery process.

Treatment in the community setting helps in instilling a sense of hope among the addicts,

following the testimonies of those who have conquered their addictions. The community

approach also aids in destigmatization of drug addiction, thus allowing it to be addressed and

treated while still in its initial phases. This fosters a sense of support as one journey through their

recovery, reducing the overall rate of decline. Recovery in a supportive environment is quite

encouraging, since it allows one to be vulnerable. Seeing one’s family support them through the

treatment phase provides enough encouragement to conquer the addiction, and fight on behalf of

them. Within the community setting, the addicts get to witness real time the impact of drug abuse

and dependence on those suffering from the effects. This gory sight will aid in instilling some

level of discipline and sense to undertake the treatment before their situation escalates.
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References

Haapanen, R., & Britton, L. (2002). Drug testing for youthful offenders on parole: An

experimental evaluation. Criminology & Public Policy, 1(2), 217-244.

Harrell, A., Mitchell, O., Hirst, A., Marlowe, D., & Merrill, J. (2002). Breaking the cycle of

drugs and crime: Findings from the Birmingham BTC demonstration. Criminology &

Public Policy, 1(2), 189-216.

Worrall, J. L. (2019). Crime Control in America : What Works? (4th ed.). Pearson.