Diversity of drug abuse treatment utilization patterns and outcomes (2004)

This study examined the longitudinal patterns of drug abuse treatment utilization over a 36-month period and the associated outcomes. The sample included 430 patients recruited from several treatment programs of different modalities; 335 patients in the single treatment group reported no additional treatment subsequent to the referent treatment, 65 patients in the consecutive treatment group continued in treatment after the referent treatment ended, and 30 patients in the non-consecutive treatment group reentered into treatment at least one month after the referent treatment ended. The three groups did not differ in terms of background characteristics and most of the drug use history and criminal history measures. The cumulative lengths of time in treatment over the 36 months were also similar across the three groups with the mean being 1013 months. During the 36-month period, more than 60% of the patients across the three groups also reported treatment participation prior to the referent treatment. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict the positive outcome (defined as no drug use and no crimes committed while living in the community) at follow-up. Both longer stay in treatment cumulatively across the 36-month period and self-help group participation subsequent to the referent treatment were positively related to the favorable outcome, while prior treatment was negatively related to outcome. Relative to the non-consecutive group, patients in the consecutive group and single treatment group were, respectively, 2.81 times, and 2.49 times more like to have a positive outcome. The study results suggest that continued participation in some kind of treatment or self-help group is critical for sustaining recovery. (Review' s abstract)