Steven L. Proctor

Substance Use Disorder Prevalence among Female State Prison Inmates

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent among female inmates. As the female state prison population continues to increase, describing the specific clinical and demographic characteristics of female prisoners remains of paramount importance to better define women’s needs in the state prison system. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and patterns of current DSM-IV SUDs and explore whether particular demographic characteristics are more strongly associated with specific SUD categories. Methods: Data were derived from routine clinical assessments of 801 female inmates incarcerated in the Minnesota Department of Corrections state prison system. The Substance Use Disorder Diagnostic Schedule-IV (Hoffmann NG, Harrison PA. SUDDS-IV: Substance Use Disorder Diagnostic Schedule-IV. Smithfield, RI: Evince Clinical Assessments, 1995) was administered to all inmates as a computer-prompted interview on admission to the prison. Results: Of the inmates, 70.0% were dependent on at least one substance, and 7.9% met criteria for substance abuse. Alcohol dependence (30.2%) and cocaine dependence (30.1%) were the two most prevalent SUDs. The remaining substance dependence diagnoses that predominated were as follows: stimulant dependence, 24.1%; marijuana dependence, 15.6%; and heroin dependence, 9.6%. Over half (56.9%) were dependent on a substance other than alcohol. Prevalence of cocaine dependence [odds ratio (OR) = 2.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.92–4.16] was significantly higher among African Americans, whereas prevalence of stimulant dependence (OR = 9.24, 95% CI = 5.40–15.80) was significantly higher among Caucasians. Prevalence of alcohol (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.38–3.25) and heroin (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.50–4.77) dependence was significantly higher among Native Americans. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: SUDs in general, and illicit drug use disorders in particular, are prevalent among female inmates entering a state prison system. Membership to a particular ethnic group may identify a set of inmates at elevated risk for the presence of substance-specific dependence diagnoses.

Predictors of Patient Retention in Methadone Maintenance Treatment

This study sought to determine whether select pretreatment demographic and in-treatment clinical variables predict premature treatment discharge at 6 and 12 months among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Data were abstracted from electronic medical records for 1,644 patients with an average age of 34.7 years (SD = 11.06) admitted to 26 MMT programs located throughout the United States from 2009 to 2011. Patients were studied through retrospective chart review for 12 months or until treatment discharge. Premature discharge at 6- and 12-month intervals were the dependent variables, analyzed in logistic regressions. Clinical predictor variables included average methadone dosage (mg/d) and urinalysis drug screen (UDS) findings for opioids and various nonopioid substances at intake and 6 months. Pretreatment demographic variables included gender, race/ethnicity, employment status, marital status, payment method, and age at admission. UDS findings positive (UDS+) for cocaine at intake and 6 months were found to be independent predictors of premature discharge at 12 months. UDS+ for opioids at 6 months was also an independent predictor of premature discharge at 12 months. Higher average daily methadone dosages were found to predict retention at both 6 and 12 months. Significant demographic predictors of premature discharge at 6 months included Hispanic ethnicity, unemployment, and marital status. At 12 months, male gender, younger age, and self-pay were found to predict premature discharge. Select demographic characteristics may be less important as predictors of outcome after patients have been in treatment beyond a minimum period of time, while others may become more important later on in treatment.

An assessment of the compatibility of DSM-IV and proposed DSM-5 criteria in the diagnosis of cannabis use disorders.

The current study used an automated version of the Substance Use Disorder Diagnostic Schedule-IV (SUDDS-IV) to assess DSM-IV (fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and two sets of proposed DSM-5 (fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) cannabis use disorder criteria among adult prison inmates in the Minnesota Department of Corrections state prison system from 2000 to 2003. Initially proposed DSM-5 criteria had only two diagnostic designations (moderate and severe). A subsequent revision added a mild designation and required a greater number of positive findings for the severe diagnosis. The sample was composed of 7,672 (89.6% male) inmates. Inmates with no DSM-IV diagnoses and most who currently received a cannabis dependence diagnosis according to the DSM-IV guidelines will fit into corresponding DSM-5 categories (i.e., no diagnosis and severe cannabis use disorder, respectively). Some diagnostic criteria, in addition to those proposed for the DSM-5, emerged as cardinal indicators of moderate cannabis use disorder. The studys limitations are noted.

The Effectiveness of Interactive Journaling in Reducing Recidivism Among Substance-Dependent Jail Inmates:

The present study sought to evaluate the influence of interactive journaling on criminal recidivism and identify significant predictors of recidivism among a sample of 183 male inmates incarcerated in a local jail facility randomly assigned to either an interactive journaling condition or a control group. All participants met DSM-IV-TR criteria for substance dependence, had their current offense indicate substance involvement, and had a minimum of one previous arrest in the prior 12 months. The recidivism rate (51%), in terms of subsequent bookings within a 12-month period, for the journaling group was significantly lower than the recidivism rate (66%) for the control group, χ2(1, 183) = 4.13, p < .05. The three most significant independent predictors of subsequent bookings were severity of posttraumatic stress disorder, group assignment (journaling vs. placebo), and employment status. Interactive journaling appears to show promise as a brief treatment intervention strategy for substance dependence in local jail settings and may have the potential for reducing recidivism.

Cocaine use disorder prevalence: From current DSM-IV to proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria with both a two and three severity level classification system.

This article presents a secondary analysis from a study investigating the compatibility of the current DSM-IV and previously proposed DSM-5 cocaine use disorder (CUD) criteria (S. L. Proctor, A. M. Kopak, & N. G. Hoffmann, 2012, Compatibility of current DSM-IV and proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for cocaine use disorders. Addictive Behaviors, 37, 722-728). The current analyses examined the compatibility of the current DSM-IV and two sets of proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for CUDs among adult male inmates (N = 6,871) recently admitted to the Minnesota Department of Corrections state prison system from 2000-2003. Initially proposed DSM-5 criteria (DSM-5.0) featured only two diagnostic designations (i.e., moderate and severe). A subsequent revision (DSM-5.1) included the addition of a mild designation and required a greater number of positive findings for the severe designation. A computer-prompted structured diagnostic interview was administered to all inmates as part of routine clinical assessments. The past 12-month prevalence of DSM-IV CUDs was 12.70% (Abuse, 3.78%, Dependence, 8.92%), while 10.98% met past 12-month DSM-5.1 criteria for a CUD (Mild [MiCUD], 1.72%; Moderate [MCUD], 1.12%; and Severe [SCUD], 8.14%). The vast majority of those with no diagnosis (99.6%) continued to have no diagnosis, and most of those with a dependence diagnosis (91.2%) met SCUD criteria of the proposed DSM-5.1. Most of the variation in DSM-5.1 diagnostic classifications was accounted for by those with a current abuse diagnosis. DSM-5.0 MCUD cases were most affected when DSM-5.1 criteria were applied. The proposed diagnostic changes might translate to reduced access to treatment for those individuals evincing symptoms consistent with DSM-IV cocaine abuse.

Identifying patterns of co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illness in a jail population

Although the co-occurrence of mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs) is well documented among correctional populations, less explored are the actual patterns that exist between specific SUDs and additional mental health disorders in combination. This study examines prevalence and correlates of psychiatric comorbidity in incarcerated men who screened positive for a SUD and the ability of a practical structured interview to document diagnostic indications of SUDs and co-occurring disorders. Comprehensive Addictions and Psychological Evaluation (CAAPE) interview data from 176 substance-dependent male inmates incarcerated in a local jail facility were analyzed. The most common substance dependence diagnoses were for alcohol (81%) and cocaine (35%). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the most common co-occurring mental health condition (55%), followed by antisocial personality disorder and major depressive episodes (51% each). Patterns related to the presence of PTSD and major depressive episodes accounted for a vast majority of inmates with both two and three diagnostic indications. Cronbachs alphas for the individual CAAPE diagnostic subscales ranged from 0.74 to 0.97. The design and implementation of treatment programs for substance-dependent inmates must consider co-occurring mental health issues. Several of the diagnostic categories evinced a bimodal pattern of responses in terms of severity. Negative correlations among many of the SUDs suggest that those with a greater level of severity involving some substances are less likely to manifest dependence and high severity for other substances. The observed Cronbachs alphas for the various subscales demonstrated acceptable preliminary support for the use of the CAAPE as a practical instrument in indentifying co-occurring disorders in a jail setting.

Cocaine dependence and anxiety sensitivity among patients presenting for residential drug use treatment

Cocaine use and dependence remains an important public health concern. Thus, the identification of individual difference factors that may maintain cocaine use remains an important goal. The goal of the current study is to test whether the cognitive vulnerability of anxiety sensitivity (AS), an identified risk factor for anxiolytic use and use-related disorders, is related to cocaine dependence diagnosis (n = 168) among a sample of drug users currently enrolled in residential treatment (N = 304). Results demonstrated that AS was significantly related to cocaine dependence and remained significant after controlling for sex, age, alcohol dependence, hallucinogen dependence, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Taken together, these data suggest that AS may have a specific relation to cocaine dependence, calling into question the notion that AS is positively related only to drugs with anxiolytic properties.

A naturalistic comparison of the effectiveness of methadone and two sublingual formulations of buprenorphine on maintenance treatment outcomes: findings from a retrospective multisite study.

OBJECTIVE This study sought to compare the effectiveness of the 3 most commonly prescribed maintenance medications in the United States indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in reducing illicit drug use and retaining patients in treatment. METHOD Data were abstracted from electronic medical records for 3,233 patients admitted to 34 maintenance treatment facilities located throughout the United States during the period of July 1, 2012, through July 1, 2013. Patients were grouped into 1 of 3 medication categories based on their selection at intake (methadone [n = 2,738; M dosage = 64.64 mg/d, SD = 25.58], Suboxone [n = 102; M dosage = 9.75 mg/d, SD = 4.04], or Subutex [n = 393; M dosage = 12.21 mg/d, SD = 5.31]) and were studied through retrospective chart review for 6 months or until treatment discharge. Two measures of patient retention in treatment and urinalysis drug screen (UDS) findings for both opioids and various nonopioid substances comprised the study outcomes. RESULTS The average length of stay (LOS) in terms of days in treatment for the methadone group (M = 169.86, SE = 5.02) was significantly longer than both the Subutex (M = 69.34, SE = 23.43) and Suboxone (M = 119.35, SE = 20.82) groups. The Suboxone group evinced a significantly longer average LOS relative to the Subutex group. After adjustment for relevant covariates, patients maintained on methadone were 3.73 times (95% confidence interval [CI]= 2.82-4.92) and 2.48 times (95% CI = 1.57-3.92) more likely to be retained in treatment at 6 months than patients prescribed Subutex and Suboxone, respectively. The 6-month prevalence rates of positive UDS findings for both opioids and nonopioid substances were similar across medication groups. CONCLUSIONS Comparable rates of illicit drug use at 6 months may be expected irrespective of maintenance medication, while increased retention may be expected for patients maintained on methadone relative to those maintained on Suboxone or Subutex.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation for addicted prisoners trust (RAPt) programme

Abstract The Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust (RAPt) Programme, the largest provider of intensive prison-based drug treatment in the UK, addresses both substance dependence and criminal behaviour through a comprehensive model. This study examined recidivism in a group of male prisoners who completed the RAPt programme (n = 352), a group of male prisoners who did not complete (n = 355) the programme, and a third comparison group of male prisoners who completed another in-prison drug treatment programme (n = 232). 12-month post-release recidivism data for the three groups were assessed with multivariate logistic regression in relation to age, race/ethnicity, length of sentence, prisoners’ drugs of choice, and prisoners’ primary offence for imprisonment. Results indicated that RAPt completers were less likely to re-offend within one year of prison release compared to the Comparison completers and prisoners who started but did not complete RAPt. Prisoners’ drugs of choice were also associated with re-offence with those treated for heroin or cocaine (crack or powder) use being more likely to re-offend compared with those treated for use of any other drugs. Finally, the type of offence for which prisoners were convicted was also a prominent factor with those sentenced for a property offence more likely to reoffend within one year compared to those convicted of a non-property offence. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the RAPt programme and identify prisoners with heroin or cocaine dependence at highest risk for recidivism. Programme enhancements may address the additional risk among prisoners who identified heroin or cocaine use as their primary drug of choice.

Co-occurring substance dependence and posttraumatic stress disorder among incarcerated men

The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among inmates and is associated with numerous adverse outcomes. The present study sought to estimate the prevalence and patterns of co-occurring PTSD among substance-dependent inmates. Structured diagnostic assessment interview data from 176 adult male inmates incarcerated in a local jail facility were analyzed to assess study aims. Alcohol dependence was the most prevalent SUD with 81.3% of the total sample meeting current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria. The remaining substance dependence diagnoses that predominated were as follows: cocaine, 35.2%; marijuana, 21.0%; heroin, 15.5%; and stimulant, 6.8%. Over half (54.6%) met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. A bimodal distribution was found for the PTSD cases as inmates tended to report either no symptoms or sub-diagnostic indications (45.4%), or acknowledge sufficient information t...