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Article
Spirituality and Desistance from Substance Use among Reentering Offenders
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology (2014)
  • Nicholas W. Bakken, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
  • Whitney DeCamp, Western Michigan University
  • Christy A. Visher, University of Delaware
Abstract
Prior research has indicated an inverse relationship between religion and criminal behavior, however few studies have specifically examined the effect of spirituality on the desistance process among a contemporary and diverse sample of reentering drug-involved offenders. A comprehensive understanding of how spirituality is related to desistance from substance use can lead to more effective and evidence-based preventive and rehabilitative interventions. Using data from a longitudinal study of 920 diverse offenders returning to the community after a period of incarceration, the current study examines three distinct forms of substance use (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) to gauge the effect that spirituality plays in the desistance process. The findings suggest a relatively high importance of spirituality in terms of preventing substance use during reentry, particularly concerning the use of both alcohol and cocaine.
Keywords
  • Substance Use,
  • Desistance,
  • Re-entry
Publication Date
2014
DOI
10.1177/0306624X13494076
Citation Information
Bakken, Nicholas W., Whitney DeCamp, and Christy A. Visher. (2014). Spirituality and Desistance from Substance Use among Reentering Offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 58, 1321-1339. doi:10.1177/0306624X13494076