Abstract

The reentry process from prison to the community is rife with obstacles. Substance use problems, in particular, can present significant barriers to successful reentry. However, little research has examined the various roles that substance use plays during reentry from the perspective of those reentering the community. The current study explores reentry experiences of people who have been recently released from prison with a specific focus on their experiences with substance use during the reentry process. Using thematic analysis, the present study explored substance use experiences from 26 semi-structured interviews. Seven main themes emerged: recovery and sobriety, substance use programs, relapse, substance use exposure, triggers and other challenges, impact of incarceration on substance use, and reflections about substance use. Within each of these broad themes, additional subthemes emerged. Findings suggest complex histories of substance use spanning ecological contexts, including family, neighborhood, and corrections facilities as well as provide support for the pervasive and persistent nature of substance use among previously incarcerated individuals. Implications for practice and policy are discussed as well as potential future directions for research.

摘要

从监狱到社区的再入过程充满了障碍。物质使用问题尤其会成为成功重返大气层的重大障碍。然而，很少有研究从重新进入社区的人的角度研究物质使用在重新进入过程中所扮演的各种角色。目前的研究探讨了最近从监狱获释的人的再入狱经历，特别关注他们在再入狱过程中使用药物的经历。本研究使用主题分析，从 26 次半结构化访谈中探索了物质使用经验。出现了七个主要主题：恢复和清醒、药物使用计划、复发、药物使用暴露、触发因素和其他挑战、监禁对药物使用的影响以及对药物使用的反思。在这些广泛的主题中，出现了额外的子主题。研究结果表明，物质使用的复杂历史跨越生态环境，包括家庭、邻里和惩戒设施，并为以前被监禁的个人中普遍和持久的物质使用性质提供支持。讨论了对实践和政策的影响以及潜在的未来研究方向。