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Concurrent Drug and Alcohol Dependency and Mental Health Problems Among Incarcerated Women

Research suggests that the determinants and pathways of substance use and mental health problems differ for women and men in important ways and therefore women's experiences merit special attention.The 2003 Drug Use Careers of Offenders (DUCO) female study is used in this article to examine the prevalence, patterns and predictors of drug and alcohol dependency and mental health problems among incarcerated women. Over half of the women in this study had concurrent substance dependencies and mental health problems in the 6 months prior to arrest. Factors associated with having mental health problems include past experiences of sexual and emotional abuse, prescription drug use, drug dependency, and concurrent drug and alcohol dependency. Drug dependency was associated with involvement in crime or sex work to earn a living, early exposure to drug problems in the family of origin, use of prescription drugs, previous adult prison, and mental health problems. Alcohol dependency was associated with Indigenous status and physical abuse. The results of this study can contribute to treatment planning for women offenders. The finding that repeated admissions to prison is a predictor of drug dependency suggests that identification and treatment of drug problems is frequently absent, ineffective or not suited to the particular needs of women.