Motivational Interviewing Case Management (MICM) for Persons on Probation or Parole Entering Sober Living Houses

Abstract

The failure of incarceration as a response to drug offenses has resulted in new policies supporting community-based alternatives. One challenge has been finding appropriate housing for persons on probation and parole. Sober living houses (SLHs) are alcohol- and drug-free living environments that are increasingly being used as housing options for these individuals. The current study examined 6- and 12-month outcomes for 330 persons on probation or parole who entered 49 SLHs. Residents in 22 houses ( n = 149 individuals) were randomly assigned to receive a “Motivational Interviewing Case Management” (MICM) intervention and residents in the other 27 houses ( n = 181 individuals) received SLH residency as usual. At 6- and 12-month follow-up, both study conditions showed significant improvement relative to baseline on substance abuse, criminal justice, HIV risk, and employment outcomes. For persons who attended at least one MICM session, there were better criminal justice outcomes compared with the SLH as usual group.