Darlene Petersen, MD and Paula Cook, MD
Darlene Petersen, MD and Paula Cook, MD
Addiction Treatment in Correctional Settings
Addiction Treatment in Correctional Settings
Addiction Treatment in Correctional Settings
Monday 20th May 2024
Explore addiction treatment in correctional settings with Dr. Darlene Petersen, Dr. Paula Cook, and Lynette Denton. Discover impactful harm reduction strategies.
Explicit
53 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Eye-opening
Supportive
Honest
About this podcast
Author:
Darlene Petersen, MD and Paula Cook, MD
Overview:
Categories:
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Family Recovery from Addiction
Links:
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Episodes:
97 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Breaking Barriers: Addiction Treatment in Jails
Episode Overview
- Nearly half of incarcerated individuals have a mental health disorder.
- Overdose death rates post-release are 40 to 50 times higher than the general population.
- Harm reduction strategies can significantly reduce overdose rates and improve mental health outcomes.
- Systemic barriers like stigma and lack of resources hinder effective treatment.
- Programs like USARA provide crucial support for inmates' reintegration into society.
"The overdose death rate for people on release from prison or jail is 40 to 50 times the rate in the general population"
In this episode of The Addiction Files, Dr. Darlene Petersen and Dr. Paula Cook tackle the complex issue of addiction treatment within correctional settings. Joined by peer support specialist Lynette Denton, they dive into the harsh realities faced by incarcerated individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Lynette, who has been in recovery for a decade, shares her journey and her work with Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA), a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for addiction recovery.
The conversation reveals startling statistics: nearly half of the incarcerated population has a mental health disorder, and overdose death rates post-release are alarmingly high. Dr. Cook and Lynette highlight the importance of harm reduction strategies in jails and prisons. They discuss their recent study on implementing these strategies in rural county jails, noting that providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) can significantly reduce post-release deaths.
They also touch on the barriers to effective treatment, including stigma and lack of resources. Lynette describes the harm reduction program they've been running since March 2022, which includes training jail staff, offering peer support groups, and providing harm reduction supplies to inmates. These efforts aim to reduce overdose rates, improve mental health outcomes, and help inmates reintegrate into society. The episode underscores the need for systemic change, including better pre-arrest diversion programs and increased access to harm reduction supplies.
It's a sobering yet hopeful discussion that sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of addiction treatment. Don't miss this eye-opening episode that challenges the status quo and advocates for compassionate, evidence-based care for some of society's most vulnerable individuals.