Testing the Gender Effect in Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Abstract

Though research on drug and driving under the influence (DUI) courts increased significantly in the past two decades, very little has focused on women’s participation in these programs and how gender may have influenced clients’ performance, despite the call of feminist criminologists that entry into crime and substance abuse is different for women. Based on data collected from Tulsa County DUI and Drug programs in Oklahoma, this study examines the impact of gender on clients’ performance in both programs. In addition to identifying associations between clients’ gender and demographics, criminal history, addiction problems, and other medical and mental health problems, this study explores gender’s impact on both program progress (e.g., program length, use of sanctions, relapse) and final outcome (termination vs. graduation). Data show that different factors are associated with female entry into drug and DUI courts and successful completion of the program compared with men, which calls for gender tailored treatment for women.