Gender Differences Among Prisoners with Pre-Incarceration Heroin Dependence Participating in a Randomized Clinical Trial of Buprenorphine Treatment

• NCJ Number: 244627
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 52 Issue: 5-8 Dated: December 2013 Pages: 376-391
• Author(s): Michael S. Gordon; Timothy W. Kinlock; Kathryn A. Couvillion; Monique E. Wilson; Robert P. Schwartz; Kevin E. O'Grady
• Date Published: December 2013
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 021579
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether gender and other baseline characteristics were associated with severe patterns of drug use.

Abstract

The primary focus of the current study is to examine whether gender and other baseline characteristics were significantly associated with more severe patterns of drug use. It involves data from 260 male and female prerelease prison inmates with preincarceration heroin dependence who enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of prison-initiated buprenorphine. Three outcomes are examined: (a) lifetime intravenous drug use, (b) lifetime number of drugs used, and (c) heroin use in prison. Regarding lifetime intravenous drug use; race (p greater than .001), education (p greater than .009), age (p greater than .001), and psychological treatment (p = .028) were significant. Concerning lifetime number of drugs used; race (p greater than .001) and age of first crime (p = .001) were significant. Finally, gender (p = .004), was the only significant variable in terms of using heroin while in prison. All of these differences may have important clinical, treatment, and research implications, which are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.