Treatment models for substance use disorders

Abstract Evidence-based treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) and interventions to prevent medical complications of drug use, such as overdose, should be available for people with criminal legal involvement. While programs to address SUDs among incarcerated persons exist, many individuals fail to receive adequate care and continue to experience complications of SUDs. Thus, there remains a need for improved, integrated, and holistic behavioral and pharmacological treatment for SUDs across the continuum of criminal legal involvement, as well as enhanced implementation and dissemination of evidence-based interventions. This chapter describes the evolution of programming for SUDs within jails and prisons from the late 1700s to contemporary practices. Beginning with a discussion of mutual aid societies, this chapter outlines important aspects of early treatment. Current modalities for incarcerated persons are presented, including cognitive-behavioral interventions, drug courts, therapeutic communities, and integrated approaches that support pharmacotherapy and harm reduction.