Theme | Implication for Designs of Interventions and Policies |
---|---|
Relapse occurred in the context of poor social support, re-entry challenges and lack of financial resources. | Attention to the psychosocial and practical needs of re-entry is necessary to reduce risk. |
Participants reported medical and mental-health problems combined with limited access to health care and medications. | Re-entry services should include attention to meeting basic medical needs. |
Participants described ubiquitous exposure to drugs, alcohol, and drug trafficking in the environments to which they were released. | Transitional housing should be away from neighborhoods with ubiquitous drug activity. Encourage avoidant behaviors and skills to avoid exposure. |
Perception of high risk of overdose after release from prison because of diminished tolerance. | Educate inmates about lower drug tolerance at release and provide bystander naloxone training and distribution. |
Overdose perceived as a means of coping with unbearable stress and anxiety. | Teach new coping mechanisms for the stress and anxiety that accompanies release. |
Relapse after release perceived as a coping mechanism for depression, anxiety, and frustration. | Enhance coping skills and ensure medication continuity for mental-health conditions. Motivate inmates to seek and preserve healthy relationships for support. Connect inmates with religious/spiritual institutions and community-based organizations. |
Preventive factors included structured drug-treatment programs, spirituality/religion, community-based services, self-help programs, and family. | Offer inmates structured treatment for substance use disorders after release, help them link to community-based services, encourage use of self-help programs, and support positive family roles and relationships. |