Risk Factors for Substance Use Among Serious and Violent Offenders Undergoing Reentry

Formerly incarcerated individuals often experience an intensely chaotic and stressful reentry environment, riddled with barriers and challenges that make them more susceptible to substance use and other risky behaviors. This literature review focuses on the most prevalent and pervasive risk factors for substance use among serious and violent offenders undergoing reentry. By examining research published within the last decade on serious and violent offenders in the United States, several major themes were identified: social bonds, housing and employment, mental health, and surveillance and addiction treatment. The results showed that risk factors for substance use are deeply embedded in ex-offenders' social environments, the support and types of support they receive, the debilitating stigmatization from society, and the intense stress and strain associated with reentry. In order to promote successful reentry and remove risk factors for substance use, significant structural changes and altering how society views incarceration and addiction are needed.