Desistance from crime following substance use treatment: the role of treatment retention, social network and self-control

BACKGROUND: Reductions in crime are often reported following substance use treatment. We explore the relationship between desistance from crime, treatment type, treatment retention and positive changes in known risk factors for crime. METHODS: We used data from the NorComt-study; a longitudinal study of substance users (n = 341) enrolled in comprehensive treatment in Norway (2012–2015). At treatment initiation (T0) and 1 year later (T1), we collected self-reported data on criminal involvement, treatment, substance use, social network and self-control. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1 year following treatment initiation 69% reported desistance from crime, 18% reported continued crime and 12% reported no crime at all in the study period. Desistance was high for OMT patients in ongoing treatment (79% desisted) and for inpatients regardless of treatment status (79–93% desisted), while not as high among OMT patients with interrupted treatment (47% desisted). For participants that continued crime during follow-up, the average number of criminal acts per month was reduced (p < 0.001). Desistance at follow-up was associated with being older (aOR: 1.05, CI: 1.00–1.10), inpatient treatment (aOR: 3.71, CI: 1.12–12.29), being in ongoing treatment (inpatient or OMT) (aOR: 2.90, CI: 1.01–8.36), having no stimulant use in the study period (aOR: 4.86, CI: 1.72–13.70), leaving a substance using social network (aOR 2.87, CI: 1.15–7.18) and improvement in self-control score (aOR: 1.08, CI: 1.04–1.13). CONCLUSIONS: Retention in treatment is particularly important for crime outcomes among OMT patients. Positive changes in social network and self-control are potential contributors to desistance from crime. Targeted interventions towards crime reduction are recommended for patients with stimulant use, which appears to be a persistent risk factor for crime over time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-021-03518-2.