Behavioral Interventions: Effective and Adaptable for the Treatment of Pregnant Cocaine-Dependent Women

• NCJ Number: 169916
• Journal: Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1997) Pages: 625-658
• Author(s): R Elk; L G Mangus; R J LaSoya; H M Rhoades; R L Andres; J Grabowski
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 34 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

The effectiveness of behavioral interventions in the treatment of cocaine-dependent pregnant women was examined by means of a study conducted in four stages.

Abstract

The research began with the examination of the unique needs of drug-abusing women, as well as effective treatment factors. The next stage was to determine the behavioral interventions that were effective in other cocaine-dependent populations. The third stage involved combining strategies from these two elements in the Pregnancy Project, an ongoing treatment-study of cocaine-dependent pregnant women. In the final stage of the research, outcome data for 35 women who took part in the Pregnancy Project were examined. Results revealed a high rate of retention in treatment, as well as a high rate of compliance with prenatal care for the women who remained in treatment. A high rate of compliance with prenatal care was also associated with good perinatal outcome. The participants demonstrated a relatively high rate of cocaine abstinence during treatment, at birth, and in the early period following the baby's birth. Many of the women especially appreciated the individually based, self-empowering aspects of the behavioral counseling interventions. Findings indicated that behavioral interventions within a woman-friendly drug treatment program are an important treatment option to consider. Tables and 112 references (Author abstract modified)