Substance Use

Substance Use Treatment

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) successful drug abuse treatment in the criminal justice system can help reduce crime as well as the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. It is estimated that for every dollar spent on addiction treatment programs, there is a $4 to $7 reduction in the cost of drug-related crimes.

Profile of Programs 

Motivation for Change

Motivation for Change is considered an intervention rather than a program. It reduces the resistance participants have to more intensive programming and helps them identify for themselves where they are at in their stage of change with regard to their criminal behaviors, addictions, attitudes, values, and beliefs. This program meets the legal mandate for Substance abuse counseling. 

• Program Sites: State Prisons

Matrix Program- Early Recovery Skills (ERS)

The Early Recovery Skills Group is an eight lesson program that is designed to help individuals begin the process of substance abuse recovery. Its cognitive-behavioral evidenced-based curriculum is designed to teach basic recovery skills. An identified assessed need by the Next Generation Assessment or professional override is required for placement. 

• Program Sites: State Prisons

Matrix Relapse Prevention

The Relapse Prevention program is a 32 Lesson skills-building group designed for 15 to 20 participants. This program explains basic counseling information in simple terms. An identified assessed need by the Next Generation Assessment or professional override is required for placement. 

• Program Sites: State Prisons 

Residential Substance Use Treatment Program (RSAT)

A nine-month residential substance abuse treatment program which targets high risk, high needs offenders with a history of substance abuse as a crime-producing behavior leading to correctional supervision. This program is based on the Therapeutic Community Model. Offenders who are referred to RSAT are parole mandated and have an assessed need as identified by the Next Generation Assessment or professional override. 

• Program Sites: Coastal State Prison (males), Johnson State Prison (males), Pulaski State Prison (females), and Valdosta State Prison (males)

Probation Substance Use Treatment Center (PSATC)

A nine-month residential substance abuse treatment program for Probationers. Offenders are court-mandated for this program and have a history of substance abuse. 

• Program Sites: Bainbridge PSATC (males), Northwest PSATC (males) located at Walker State Prison, Lee Arrendale PSATC (females) located at Lee Arrendale State Prison, Coastal PSATC (males) located at Coastal State Prison, Turner PSATC (males) located at Turner Facility, Paulding PSATC (males), and Bleckley PSATC (females)

Intensive Re-Entry Program (IRP)

IRP is a 90-day Intensive Re-Entry Program, which targets non-violent offenders with a history of substance abuse as a causative factor leading to correctional supervision. The goal of the IRP program is to give offenders tools that can be used to abstain from drugs, alcohol and criminal behaviors once released, thereby reducing recidivism. 

• Program Site: Coastal State Prison, Coastal State Prison (Male) and Arrendale State Prison (female)

Integrated Treatment Program (ITF)

A nine-month program that actively combines interventions intended to address substance use and mental disorders with the goal of treating both disorders, related problems, and the whole person more effectively. 

• Program Sites: West Central ITF (females) and Appling ITF (males)