This publication of Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Council for State Government (CSG) Justice Center, and the Addiction Policy Forum is an informational guide about overdose risk directed at families of people reentering the community.
This guide by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Council for State Government (CSG) Justice Center, and the Addiction Policy Forum outlines ways to support a family member (family is used here in a broad sense for the self-identified support system) or loved one and evidence-based strategies for achieving recovery, including tips for families who want to support these efforts. Reentry, in general, can be a challenging time for people as they are preparing to transition back into the community. For people with a substance use disorder, reentry is even more challenging because of the potential to relapse and experience overdose. This is often caused by a decreased tolerance for substances after having no access during incarceration. Indeed, people in reentry are at highest risk of an overdose or even death during the first 48 hours of reentry, and that risk continues 2 weeks following release into the community. This risk is highest among people using opioids. While it can be daunting to ensure that, among all other preparations for the reentry of a family member with a substance use disorder, they also do not overdose, families can play an important role in preventing overdose. Studies show that family support can improve outcomes for a person in treatment and is a significant factor in predicting long-term recovery. To best support people in recovery as they are preparing for reentry, family members must first understand the nature of substance use disorders and be fully involved in the treatment and recovery process.