Social discrimination could result in performance challenges as he moves into adulthood.
Though there are many similarities in substance abuse treatment for those involved in the criminal justice system compared to the general population, individuals within the criminal justice framework face additional stressors, primarily their unstable legal circumstances. Those in the criminal justice system often possess traits that impact their treatment, including criminal values and ways of thinking, as well as the common challenges of resistance and denial found in other groups seeking substance abuse care. Many offenders have a long-standing history of psychosocial issues contributing to their substance use, such as family relationship struggles, challenges in maintaining long-term connections, emotional and psychological difficulties, trouble managing stress and anger, and a deficiency in education and job skills, alongside issues with finding and keeping steady employment (Belenko and Peugh 1998; Peters 1993). These enduring challenges frequently correlate with lowered self-esteem, increased anxiety, depression, and unrealistic expectations regarding substance use initiation. In addition, repeated failures to abstain reinforce negative self-perceptions and heighten the chance that offenders will revert to substance use when encountering stress or conflict. This chapter explores approaches for adapting substance abuse treatment services for individuals in the criminal justice system. Some of these approaches incorporate foundational program elements like incentives for participation and a focus on accountability, while others address specific clinical challenges, such as addressing criminal thought processes and imparting fundamental problem-solving abilities.
