Substance Use

Module 5 · Risk Application

Some needs are more actionable than others.

Not all criminogenic needs are equally responsive to intervention. Substance use is one of the few domains where we have strong evidence that treatment can reduce need levels—and sometimes reduce risk as well.

Key takeaway

Substance use matters because it predicts risk and is one of the few domains where meaningful change is possible.

Why Substance Use Appears in Needs Assessments

The figure below shows three reasons substance use appears in nearly every major needs assessment.

The idea: Substance use is important because it can create instability, shape behavior, and respond to treatment.

Illustration

Substance use is an actionable need

Substance use appears in major needs assessments because it can create instability, influence behavior, and respond to treatment.

Illustration showing substance use as a criminogenic need that can create instability, influence behavior, and respond to treatment

Unlike criminal history, substance use can change, making it an important intervention target.

Substance Use Can Create Instability

First, substance use often creates instability.

It can contribute to:

employment problems
housing instability
supervision violations
association with antisocial peers

Different Substances Can Influence Behavior Differently

Second, different substances can influence behavior in different ways.

For example:

alcohol is often associated with violence and aggression
stimulants can increase impulsive and erratic behavior
opioids are frequently associated with acquisitive crime and economic motivation

The relationship between substance use and crime is not always the same.

Substance Use Is Treatable

Third, substance use is one of the most treatable criminogenic needs.

Unlike criminal history, substance use can change. Successful treatment and recovery can reduce need levels, improve stability, and contribute to reductions in risk.

Why This Matters

Substance use affects far more than drug offending
Different substances can influence different offending patterns
Effective treatment can change one of the most important criminogenic needs

Bottom Line

Substance use is important not only because it predicts risk, but because it is one of the few domains where meaningful change is possible.

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