Mental illnesses, including substance abuse disorder, are sometimes an underlying factor in criminal cases. This occurs for a variety of reasons, including the natural effects of the illness. It’s estimated that around 85% of people in prison have committed an offense under the influence or have a substance use disorder.
Some people may not realize that punishing criminal acts while leaving the mental health condition unaddressed can lead to recidivism. When substance abuse disorder is an issue, getting treatment can reduce the chance of the person reoffending by as much as 26% if you compare it to traditional sentences.
Many mental illnesses can impair judgment, increase the likelihood of risky behaviors and lower inhibitions. This could lead to the person doing things that they wouldn’t do otherwise. Engaging in fights, driving under the influence or stealing are some of the actions that might be contributed to by mental illnesses.
How can the criminal justice system address this issue?
The overlap between mental health conditions and criminal actions is one that’s well-documented in Texas, so much so that there are special court programs to address this matter. Many of these are centered around offering rehabilitation options for people who are facing non-violent charges.
Anyone who’s facing a criminal charge and also has a mental illness, including a substance abuse disorder, should ensure they’re learning the options they have for their defense strategy. Texas has drug courts and mental health courts, both of which may help some individuals to access services they need while still addressing the criminal charges they’re facing. It may be beneficial for them to work with someone who’s familiar with these specialty courts to determine what options are possible and how they will impact the defense strategy.