Marijuana is an incredibly psychologically addictive drug. Relapse among marijuana users is very high. Could there be light at the end of the tunnel for those really hoping to shed their addiction to weed?
A study at Rhode Island Hospital found that collaborative behavioral management may be effective in reducing substance abuse among convicted marijuana users, most specifically with those on parole.
Almost 500,000 inmates depart prisons in the United States every year suffering from substance abuse addictions! This certainly adds additional costs to all of society. Is there a way to keep them off drugs?
Relapse is common after release due to the stress factors and triggers that originally caused the addiction issues in the first place. The everyday positive reinforcers of daily life such as a good job and good family life can’t compete – they are delayed and not guaranteed. Thus, behavioral theory explains what we see – the reentry period is extremely challenging and many ex-offenders end up returning to drugs and crime.”
A collaborative behavioral management worked to reduce primary drug use among “non-hard drug” users, primarily marijuana. Since marijuana users comprise a large proportion of individuals arrested for drug use, this study suggests that this behavioral approach to community corrections might reduce drug use and ultimately back to the slammer..
We need more drug and alcohol classes in the prison. Also better care needs to be taken with respect to inmate use of controlled substances.