Substance abuse treatment for those under community supervision differs from treatment for those who are incarcerated. One reason is that access to drugs and alcohol is much easier, and the abusers also have greater influence by acquaintances and through social situations they encounter. After all there are no bars in prison (excuse the pun).
Further, compared with those who are locked up, probationers and parolees may be undergoing greater duress and turbulent times during their initial release into the community. Those under supervision are attempting to overcome great personal odds over and above their addictions.
Besides battling their deep physical cravings, securing basic needs such as food and shelter is often of paramount importance, especially for parolees attempting to reintegrate into society, underscores the publication Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It is part of the Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series (No.44) to assist criminal justice professionals manage substance abuse in all phases of the justice arena.