Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 2/2017

01-03-2017 | Original Article

Use of Veterans Health Administration Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment After Exiting Prison: The Health Care for Reentry Veterans Program

Authors: Andrea K. Finlay, Matthew Stimmel, Jessica Blue-Howells, Joel Rosenthal, Jim McGuire, Ingrid Binswanger, David Smelson, Alex H. S. Harris, Susan M. Frayne, Tom Bowe, Christine Timko

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 2/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) program links veterans exiting prison with treatment. Among veterans served by HCRV, national VA clinical data were used to describe contact with VA health care, and mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses and treatment use. Of veterans seen for an HCRV outreach visit, 56 % had contact with VA health care. Prevalence of mental health disorders was 57 %; of whom 77 % entered mental health treatment within a month of diagnosis. Prevalence of substance use disorders was 49 %; of whom 37 % entered substance use disorder treatment within a month of diagnosis. For veterans exiting prison, increasing access to VA health care, especially for rural veterans, and for substance use disorder treatment, are important quality improvement targets.
Literature
go back to reference Binswanger, I. A., Krueger, P. M., & Steiner, J. F. (2009). Prevalence of chronic medical conditions among jail and prison inmates in the USA compared with the general population. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 63(11), 912–919. doi:10.1136/jech.2009.090662.CrossRefPubMed Binswanger, I. A., Krueger, P. M., & Steiner, J. F. (2009). Prevalence of chronic medical conditions among jail and prison inmates in the USA compared with the general population. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 63(11), 912–919. doi:10.​1136/​jech.​2009.​090662.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Binswanger, I. A., Nowels, C., Corsi, K. F., Glanz, J., Long, J., Booth, R. E., & Steiner, J. F. (2012). Return to drug use and overdose after release from prison: A qualitative study of risk and protective factors. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 7, 3. doi:10.1186/1940-0640-7-3.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Binswanger, I. A., Nowels, C., Corsi, K. F., Glanz, J., Long, J., Booth, R. E., & Steiner, J. F. (2012). Return to drug use and overdose after release from prison: A qualitative study of risk and protective factors. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 7, 3. doi:10.​1186/​1940-0640-7-3.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Blue-Howells, J. H., Clark, S. C., van den Berk-Clark, C., & McGuire, J. F. (2013). The US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Programs and the sequential intercept model: Case examples in national dissemination of intervention for justice-involved veterans. Psychological Services, 10(1), 48–53. doi:10.1037/a0029652.CrossRefPubMed Blue-Howells, J. H., Clark, S. C., van den Berk-Clark, C., & McGuire, J. F. (2013). The US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Programs and the sequential intercept model: Case examples in national dissemination of intervention for justice-involved veterans. Psychological Services, 10(1), 48–53. doi:10.​1037/​a0029652.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Brown, W. B. (2008). Another emerging “storm”: Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with PTSD in the criminal justice system. Justice Policy Journal, 5, 1–37. Brown, W. B. (2008). Another emerging “storm”: Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with PTSD in the criminal justice system. Justice Policy Journal, 5, 1–37.
go back to reference Clark, C. B., Hendricks, P. S., Lane, P. S., Trent, L., & Cropsey, K. L. (2014). Methadone maintenance treatment may improve completion rates and delay opioid relapse for opioid dependent individuals under community corrections supervision. Addictive Behaviors, 39(12), 1736–1740. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.07.011.CrossRefPubMed Clark, C. B., Hendricks, P. S., Lane, P. S., Trent, L., & Cropsey, K. L. (2014). Methadone maintenance treatment may improve completion rates and delay opioid relapse for opioid dependent individuals under community corrections supervision. Addictive Behaviors, 39(12), 1736–1740. doi:10.​1016/​j.​addbeh.​2014.​07.​011.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Finlay, A. K., Smelson, D., Sawh, L., McGuire, J., et al. (2014). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach program: Connecting justice-involved veterans with mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 1–20. doi:10.1177/0887403414562601. Finlay, A. K., Smelson, D., Sawh, L., McGuire, J., et al. (2014). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach program: Connecting justice-involved veterans with mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 1–20. doi:10.​1177/​0887403414562601​.
go back to reference Gryczynski, J., Kinlock, T. W., Kelly, S. M., O’Grady, K. E., Gordon, M. S., & Schwartz, R. P. (2012). Opioid agonist maintenance for probationers: Patient-level predictors of treatment retention, drug use, and crime. Substance Abuse, 33(1), 30–39. doi:10.1080/08897077.2011.616816.CrossRefPubMed Gryczynski, J., Kinlock, T. W., Kelly, S. M., O’Grady, K. E., Gordon, M. S., & Schwartz, R. P. (2012). Opioid agonist maintenance for probationers: Patient-level predictors of treatment retention, drug use, and crime. Substance Abuse, 33(1), 30–39. doi:10.​1080/​08897077.​2011.​616816.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Harris, A. H. S., Gupta, S., Bowe, T., Ellerbe, L. S., Phelps, T. E., Rubinsky, A. D., et al. (2015). Predictive validity of two process-of-care quality measures for residential substance use disorder treatment. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 10, 1–8.CrossRef Harris, A. H. S., Gupta, S., Bowe, T., Ellerbe, L. S., Phelps, T. E., Rubinsky, A. D., et al. (2015). Predictive validity of two process-of-care quality measures for residential substance use disorder treatment. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 10, 1–8.CrossRef
go back to reference Harris, A. H. S., Kivlahan, D. R., Bowe, T., Finney, J. W., & Humphreys, K. (2009). Developing and validating process measures of health care quality: An application to alcohol use disorder treatment. Medical Care, 47(12), 1244–1250. doi:10.1097/MLR.0b013e3181b58882.CrossRefPubMed Harris, A. H. S., Kivlahan, D. R., Bowe, T., Finney, J. W., & Humphreys, K. (2009). Developing and validating process measures of health care quality: An application to alcohol use disorder treatment. Medical Care, 47(12), 1244–1250. doi:10.​1097/​MLR.​0b013e3181b58882​.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Hartwell, S. W., Deng, X., Fisher, W., Siegfriedt, J., Roy-Bujnowski, K., Johnson, C., & Fulwiler, C. (2013). Predictors of accessing substance abuse services among individuals with mental disorders released from correctional custody. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 9(1), 11–22. doi:10.1080/15504263.2012.749449.CrossRefPubMed Hartwell, S. W., Deng, X., Fisher, W., Siegfriedt, J., Roy-Bujnowski, K., Johnson, C., & Fulwiler, C. (2013). Predictors of accessing substance abuse services among individuals with mental disorders released from correctional custody. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 9(1), 11–22. doi:10.​1080/​15504263.​2012.​749449.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Hartwell, S. W., James, A., Chen, J., Pinals, D. A., Marin, M. C., & Smelson, D. (2014). Trauma among justice-involved veterans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 45(6), 425–432. doi:10.1037/a0037725.CrossRef Hartwell, S. W., James, A., Chen, J., Pinals, D. A., Marin, M. C., & Smelson, D. (2014). Trauma among justice-involved veterans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 45(6), 425–432. doi:10.​1037/​a0037725.CrossRef
go back to reference Lattimore, P. K., Barrick, K., Cowell, A. J., Dawes, D., Steffey, D., Tueller, S., and Visher, C. A. (2012). Prisoner reentry services: What worked for SVORI? Final report: Prepared for National Institute of Justice. NIJ Grant Number 2009-IJ-CX-0010. Research Triange Park, NC: RTI International and Newark, DE: Univerity of Delaware. Lattimore, P. K., Barrick, K., Cowell, A. J., Dawes, D., Steffey, D., Tueller, S., and Visher, C. A. (2012). Prisoner reentry services: What worked for SVORI? Final report: Prepared for National Institute of Justice. NIJ Grant Number 2009-IJ-CX-0010. Research Triange Park, NC: RTI International and Newark, DE: Univerity of Delaware.
go back to reference Marsch, L. A. (1998). The efficacy of methadone maintenance interventions in reducing illicit opiate use, HIV risk behavior and criminality: A meta-analysis. Addiction, 93(4), 515–532.CrossRefPubMed Marsch, L. A. (1998). The efficacy of methadone maintenance interventions in reducing illicit opiate use, HIV risk behavior and criminality: A meta-analysis. Addiction, 93(4), 515–532.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference McDonough, D. E., Blodgett, J. C., Midboe, A. M., & Blonigen, D. M. (2015). Justice-involved veterans and employment: A systematic review of barriers and promising strategies and interventions. Menlo Park: Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. McDonough, D. E., Blodgett, J. C., Midboe, A. M., & Blonigen, D. M. (2015). Justice-involved veterans and employment: A systematic review of barriers and promising strategies and interventions. Menlo Park: Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System.
go back to reference McGuire, J. (2008). The incarcerated veterans transition program (IVTP): A pilot program evaluation of IVTP employment and enrollment, VA service use and criminal recidivism. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Report to Congress. McGuire, J. (2008). The incarcerated veterans transition program (IVTP): A pilot program evaluation of IVTP employment and enrollment, VA service use and criminal recidivism. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Report to Congress.
go back to reference Nally, J. M., Lockwood, S., Ho, T., & Knutson, K. (2014). Post-release recidivism and employment among different types of released offenders: A 5-year follow-up study in the United States. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 9, 16–34. Nally, J. M., Lockwood, S., Ho, T., & Knutson, K. (2014). Post-release recidivism and employment among different types of released offenders: A 5-year follow-up study in the United States. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 9, 16–34.
go back to reference Oslin, D. W., Lynch, K. G., Maisto, S. A., Lantinga, L. J., McKay, J. R., Possemato, K., & Wierzbicki, M. (2014). A randomized clinical trial of alcohol care management delivered in Department of Veterans Affairs primary care clinics versus specialty addiction treatment. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 29(1), 162–168. doi:10.1007/s11606-013-2625-8.CrossRefPubMed Oslin, D. W., Lynch, K. G., Maisto, S. A., Lantinga, L. J., McKay, J. R., Possemato, K., & Wierzbicki, M. (2014). A randomized clinical trial of alcohol care management delivered in Department of Veterans Affairs primary care clinics versus specialty addiction treatment. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 29(1), 162–168. doi:10.​1007/​s11606-013-2625-8.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Re-entry Policy Council. (2005). Report of the re-entry policy council: Charting the safe and successful return of prisoners to the community. New York. www.reentrypolicy.org. Re-entry Policy Council. (2005). Report of the re-entry policy council: Charting the safe and successful return of prisoners to the community. New York. www.​reentrypolicy.​org.
go back to reference Saxon, A. J., Davis, T. M., Sloan, K. L., McKnight, K. M., McFall, M. E., & Kivlahan, D. R. (2001). Trauma, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, and associated problems among incarcerated veterans. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 52(7), 959–964.CrossRef Saxon, A. J., Davis, T. M., Sloan, K. L., McKnight, K. M., McFall, M. E., & Kivlahan, D. R. (2001). Trauma, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, and associated problems among incarcerated veterans. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 52(7), 959–964.CrossRef
go back to reference Sreenivasan, S., Garrick, T., McGuire, J., Smee, D. E., Dow, D., & Woehl, D. (2013). Critical concerns in Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran-forensic interface: Combat-related postdeployment criminal violence. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 41(2), 263–273. Sreenivasan, S., Garrick, T., McGuire, J., Smee, D. E., Dow, D., & Woehl, D. (2013). Critical concerns in Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran-forensic interface: Combat-related postdeployment criminal violence. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 41(2), 263–273.
go back to reference Tracy, S. W., Trafton, J. A., Weingardt, K. R., Aton, E. G., & Humphreys, K. (2007). How are substance use disorders addressed in VA psychiatric and primary care settings? Results of a national survey. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 58(2), 266–269. doi:10.1176/ps.2007.58.2.266.CrossRef Tracy, S. W., Trafton, J. A., Weingardt, K. R., Aton, E. G., & Humphreys, K. (2007). How are substance use disorders addressed in VA psychiatric and primary care settings? Results of a national survey. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 58(2), 266–269. doi:10.​1176/​ps.​2007.​58.​2.​266.CrossRef
go back to reference Trivedi, R. B., Post, E. P., Sun, H., Pomerantz, A., Saxon, A. J., Piette, J. D., & Nelson, K. (2015). Prevalence, comorbidity, and prognosis of mental health among US veterans. American Journal of Public Health, 105(12), 2564–2569. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302836.CrossRefPubMed Trivedi, R. B., Post, E. P., Sun, H., Pomerantz, A., Saxon, A. J., Piette, J. D., & Nelson, K. (2015). Prevalence, comorbidity, and prognosis of mental health among US veterans. American Journal of Public Health, 105(12), 2564–2569. doi:10.​2105/​AJPH.​2015.​302836.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Tsai, J., Rosenheck, R. A., Kasprow, W. J., & McGuire, J. F. (2013). Risk of incarceration and other characteristics of Iraq and Afghanistan era veterans in state and federal prisons. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 64(1), 36–43. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201200188.CrossRef Tsai, J., Rosenheck, R. A., Kasprow, W. J., & McGuire, J. F. (2013). Risk of incarceration and other characteristics of Iraq and Afghanistan era veterans in state and federal prisons. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 64(1), 36–43. doi:10.​1176/​appi.​ps.​201200188.CrossRef
go back to reference Tsai, J., Rosenheck, R. A., Kasprow, W. J., & McGuire, J. F. (2014). Homelessness in a national sample of incarcerated veterans in state and federal prisons. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 41(3), 360–367. doi:10.1007/s10488-013-0483-7.CrossRefPubMed Tsai, J., Rosenheck, R. A., Kasprow, W. J., & McGuire, J. F. (2014). Homelessness in a national sample of incarcerated veterans in state and federal prisons. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 41(3), 360–367. doi:10.​1007/​s10488-013-0483-7.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Wallace, A. E., West, A. N., Booth, B. M., & Weeks, W. B. (2007). Unintended consequences of regionalizing specialized VA addiction services. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 58(5), 668–674. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.58.5.668.CrossRef Wallace, A. E., West, A. N., Booth, B. M., & Weeks, W. B. (2007). Unintended consequences of regionalizing specialized VA addiction services. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D. C.), 58(5), 668–674. doi:10.​1176/​appi.​ps.​58.​5.​668.CrossRef
go back to reference Wortzel, H. S., Blatchford, P., Conner, L., Adler, L. E., & Binswanger, I. A. (2012). Risk of death for veterans on release from prison. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 40(3), 348–354. Wortzel, H. S., Blatchford, P., Conner, L., Adler, L. E., & Binswanger, I. A. (2012). Risk of death for veterans on release from prison. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 40(3), 348–354.
Metadata
Title
Use of Veterans Health Administration Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment After Exiting Prison: The Health Care for Reentry Veterans Program
Authors
Andrea K. Finlay
Matthew Stimmel
Jessica Blue-Howells
Joel Rosenthal
Jim McGuire
Ingrid Binswanger
David Smelson
Alex H. S. Harris
Susan M. Frayne
Tom Bowe
Christine Timko
Publication date
01-03-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-015-0708-z

Other articles of this Issue 2/2017

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 2/2017 Go to the issue