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Risk of Future Offense Among Probationers with Co-occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders

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Abstract

The criminal justice system is the primary service delivery system for many adults with drug and alcohol dependence, mental health, and other health service needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between risk of future offense, mental health status and co-occurring disorders in a large substance abuse diversion probationer population. A purposive sample of 2,077 probationers completed an assessment to screen for mental health disorders, substance use disorders, risk of future crime and violence, and several demographic characteristics. Probationers who screened positive for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders were significantly more likely to be at higher risk of future crime and violence compared to probationers who screened positive for only substance use, only a mental health disorder, or no substance use or mental health disorder. Implications for substance use and mental health service delivery are discussed, and recommendations are made for further research.

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Acknowledgments

The project described was supported by Grant Number 2009040047 from the Meadows Foundation. The authors are grateful for the assistance of Kristen Hahn, William Effinger, the Tarrant County CSCD’s Treatment Alternative to Incarceration Program personnel, and the Primary Care Research Center staff of the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Primary Care Research Center, Texas Prevention Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA

    Elizabeth Balyakina, Simrat Kaur Sarai & Roberto Cardarelli

  2. Eagle Medical Centers, PA, 809 W. Harwood Rd., Hurst, TX, 76054, USA

    Christopher Mann

  3. Department of Graduate Counseling Programs, Texas Wesleyan University, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX, 76105, USA

    Michael Ellison

  4. Tarrant County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, 200 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX, 76102, USA

    Ron Sivernell

  5. Department of Family Medicine, Primary Care Research Center, Texas Prevention Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA

    Kimberly G. Fulda

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Balyakina
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  2. Christopher Mann
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  3. Michael Ellison
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  4. Ron Sivernell
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  5. Kimberly G. Fulda
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  6. Simrat Kaur Sarai
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  7. Roberto Cardarelli
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Correspondence to Roberto Cardarelli.

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Balyakina, E., Mann, C., Ellison, M. et al. Risk of Future Offense Among Probationers with Co-occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders. Community Ment Health J 50, 288–295 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9624-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9624-4

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