NCJ Number
216146
Journal
Criminal Justice Studies Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2006 Pages: 291-300
Date Published
September 2006
Length
10 pages
Annotation
After describing Sober Living Houses (SLHs) for parolees with alcohol and drug-abuse problems and their potential roles in the management of parolees, this article presents preliminary data from an outcome evaluation of SLHs.
Abstract
A 5-year evaluation of SLHs, which are alcohol- and drug-free residences for parolees who are attempting to establish or maintain sobriety, yielded preliminary data that showed approximately 45 percent of 73 residents of SLHs were still living in them 6 months after they entered the program. After 6 months, 51 percent had been totally abstinent from drugs and alcohol for their entire stay (6 months) in the SLH. Among those who had relapsed, there were significant reductions in 6-month measures of alcohol and drug use. The author argues that addressing parolee addiction problems requires the provision of a safe, clean, and sober living environment. SLHs provide such an environment and also support compliance with other types of services often required for parolees, such as mental health treatment, medical care, and vocational training. One of the main advantages of using SLHs for parolees with a history of alcohol or drug abuse is the ease of keeping in touch with such individuals. The 5-year evaluation of SLHs tracked 300 individuals living in 19 different SLHs administered by 2 agencies, 1 in Sacramento, CA, and the other in Berkeley, CA. Interviews were conducted with residents at the outset of the evaluation and at 6-month, 12-month, and 18 month follow-up. Data reported for this article pertain to the 6-month follow-up. 25 references