PREVALENCE OF DSM-IV SUBSTANCE-ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE DISORDERS AMONG PRISON-INMATES

The study examined the 30-day and lifetime prevalence of DSM-IV alcoho l and drug disorders among state prison inmates. A sample of 400 inmat es consecutively admitted to a state prison reception center were asse ssed for alcohol and drug disorders using the Structured Clinical Inte rview for DSM-IV (SCID-TV). Test-retest reliabilities were calculated for thr SCID-IV. Lifetime substance abuse or dependence disorders were detected among 74% of inmates, including over half who were dependent on alcohol or drugs. For the 30 days prior to incarceration, over hal f of the sample were diagnosed as having substance abuse or dependence disorders, including 46% who were dependent on alcohol or drugs. Blac k inmates were significantly less Likely to be diagnosed as alcohol de pendent than whites or Hispanics. The high rates of substance use diso rders are consistent with previous findings from other studies conduct ed in correctional settings and reflect the need to expand treatment c apacity in prisons.