DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTION

Objectives. Drug use and alcohol abuse are initially a physical and mental health problem at the individual level, later with direct effects on public safety and security. In order to understand what are the appropriate measures in preventing and reducing these phenomena, this paper aimed to analyze...

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Main Authors: Andreea – Cătălina FORȚU, Cornelia RADA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: “Francisc I. Rainer” Anthropology Institute of the Romanian Academy. 2025-04-01
Series:Anthropological Researches and Studies
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Online Access:https://www.journalstudiesanthropology.ro/en/drug-use-and-alcohol-abuse-among-inmates-causes-consequences-prevention/
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author Andreea – Cătălina FORȚU
Cornelia RADA
author_facet Andreea – Cătălina FORȚU
Cornelia RADA
author_sort Andreea – Cătălina FORȚU
collection DOAJ
description Objectives. Drug use and alcohol abuse are initially a physical and mental health problem at the individual level, later with direct effects on public safety and security. In order to understand what are the appropriate measures in preventing and reducing these phenomena, this paper aimed to analyze the causes and consequences of substance use among inmates. Material and Methods. This literature review was developed from a survey of relevant articles published online between 2000 and 2023, identified in the Oxford Journals, Research Gate, PsychInfo, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. A total of 91 articles were analyzed, with qualitative and/or quantitative study samples totaling 31,253 inmates. Results. In terms of identifying variables that are predictive for substance use, the individual’s risk profile captured elements such as impulsivity (8 studies), sensation seeking (7 studies), hopelessness (4 studies), low agreeableness (3 studies), introversion (3 studies), extraversion (3 studies) and high neuroticism (2 studies). The risk environment factors identified were criminal history, low social support, insufficient financial resources, presence of domestic violence and availability of drugs, alcohol in the family or entourage. Conclusions. This literature review highlighted that the drug and alcohol use among inmates is associated with increased crime rates and medical problems, including HIV and hepatitis C infections. Research has underlined the importance of specialized interventions in prisons and in the post-release period to prevent relapse to drug use. Prevention should focus on screening, specialized treatment and post-release support, involving collaboration between institutions and families.
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spelling doaj-art-3bb30eb148404b9681d26a44ceb4007b2025-08-20T03:15:04Zeng“Francisc I. Rainer” Anthropology Institute of the Romanian Academy.Anthropological Researches and Studies2360-34452025-04-011592112https://doi.org/10.26758/15.1.6DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTIONAndreea – Cătălina FORȚU0Cornelia RADA1Bucharest – Jilava Penitentiary, Jilava Commune, Ilfov County, Romania; School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy, “Constantin Rădulescu-Motru” Institute of Philosophy and Psychology, Department of Psychology, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania“Francisc I. Rainer” Institute of Anthropology, Romanian Academy; School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy, “Constantin Rădulescu-Motru” Institute of Philosophy and Psychology, Department of Psychology, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, RomaniaObjectives. Drug use and alcohol abuse are initially a physical and mental health problem at the individual level, later with direct effects on public safety and security. In order to understand what are the appropriate measures in preventing and reducing these phenomena, this paper aimed to analyze the causes and consequences of substance use among inmates. Material and Methods. This literature review was developed from a survey of relevant articles published online between 2000 and 2023, identified in the Oxford Journals, Research Gate, PsychInfo, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. A total of 91 articles were analyzed, with qualitative and/or quantitative study samples totaling 31,253 inmates. Results. In terms of identifying variables that are predictive for substance use, the individual’s risk profile captured elements such as impulsivity (8 studies), sensation seeking (7 studies), hopelessness (4 studies), low agreeableness (3 studies), introversion (3 studies), extraversion (3 studies) and high neuroticism (2 studies). The risk environment factors identified were criminal history, low social support, insufficient financial resources, presence of domestic violence and availability of drugs, alcohol in the family or entourage. Conclusions. This literature review highlighted that the drug and alcohol use among inmates is associated with increased crime rates and medical problems, including HIV and hepatitis C infections. Research has underlined the importance of specialized interventions in prisons and in the post-release period to prevent relapse to drug use. Prevention should focus on screening, specialized treatment and post-release support, involving collaboration between institutions and families.https://www.journalstudiesanthropology.ro/en/drug-use-and-alcohol-abuse-among-inmates-causes-consequences-prevention/drugsalcohol abuseinmatespenitentiaryaddiction
spellingShingle Andreea – Cătălina FORȚU
Cornelia RADA
DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTION
Anthropological Researches and Studies
drugs
alcohol abuse
inmates
penitentiary
addiction
title DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTION
title_full DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTION
title_fullStr DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTION
title_full_unstemmed DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTION
title_short DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INMATES – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, PREVENTION
title_sort drug use and alcohol abuse among inmates causes consequences prevention
topic drugs
alcohol abuse
inmates
penitentiary
addiction
url https://www.journalstudiesanthropology.ro/en/drug-use-and-alcohol-abuse-among-inmates-causes-consequences-prevention/
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