The relationship between crime and the offence can either be a direct one like a DUI or drug possession or it could be drug related as when an offender steals money or burglarizes a house in order to support a drug habit. In most cases, those individuals are appropriate for those types of drug abuse treatments. Research shows that people that participate in substance abuse treatment significantly reduce their criminal behavior. While services should start as soon as possible, which includes jail and prison treatments, research shows that it is absolutely necessary to continue treatment and other support services in the community upon release. For example, Dr. James Inciardi found that for an offender to receive treatment in prison followed by community treatment and job training were compared to those who only received treatment in prison.
Substance abuse is a chronic disease.
For example, diabetics have acute treatment when they have an acute episode and over the long term can manage and monitor the progress of their disease and their health. Another acute diabetic incident does not equal failure of the treatment. The same is true for substance abusers. Over the course of a lifetime, individuals frequently need some additional treatment and support and that does not represent the failure of either the individual or the primary treatment. Offenders who are referred to community-based treatment do require additional supervisions.