Abstract
BackgroundReductions in crime are often reported following substance use treatment. We explore the relationship between desistance from crime, treatment type, treatment retention and positive changes in known risk factors for crime.MethodsWe used data from the NorComt-study; a longitudinal study of substance users (n = 341) enrolled in comprehensive treatment in Norway (2012–2015). At treatment initiation (T0) and 1 year later (T1), we collected self-reported data on criminal involvement, treatment, substance use, social network and self-control. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with multinomial logistic regression analysis.ResultsOverall, 1 year following treatment initiation 69% reported desistance from crime, 18% reported continued crime and 12% reported no crime at all in the study period. Desistance was high for OMT patients in ongoing treatment (79% desisted) and for inpatients regardless of treatment status (79–93% desisted), while not as high among OMT patients with interrupted treatment (47% desisted). For participants that continued crime during follow-up, the average number of criminal acts per month was reduced (p < 0.001). Desistance at follow-up was associated with being older (aOR: 1.05, CI: 1.00–1.10), inpatient treatment (aOR: 3.71, CI: 1.12–12.29), being in ongoing treatment (inpatient or OMT) (aOR: 2.90, CI: 1.01–8.36), having no stimulant use in the study period (aOR: 4.86, CI: 1.72–13.70), leaving a substance using social network (aOR 2.87, CI: 1.15–7.18) and improvement in self-control score (aOR: 1.08, CI: 1.04–1.13).ConclusionsRetention in treatment is particularly important for crime outcomes among OMT patients. Positive changes in social network and self-control are potential contributors to desistance from crime. Targeted interventions towards crime reduction are recommended for patients with stimulant use, which appears to be a persistent risk factor for crime over time.
Highlights
Reductions in crime are often reported following substance use treatment
We found that criminal activity before treatment initiation was associated with higher levels of polysubstance use and stimulant use, having a substance using primary social network and lower self-control [5]
We found that participants with no use of stimulants in the study period were more likely to have desisted from crime or to be in the no crime group
Summary
Reductions in crime are often reported following substance use treatment. 40 to 60% of substance users self-report recent criminal activity [1,2,3,4,5]. Clear reductions in self-reported criminal offending have been found 1 year after initiation of opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) [2, 6,7,8] or inpatient treatment [2, 7, 9]. There are several overlaps between the factors and prerequisites that are considered necessary for recovery from substance use, and those that are considered necessary for desistance from crime [10]. Involved substance users often consider dependence their main problem and see desistance from crime as a natural result of recovery from their dependence [11]. Focus on criminal involvement in substance use treatment could be important, as criminal involvement and criminal networks can be barriers for substance use recovery [3]
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