Changing Trends in Treatment of Substance Abuse: A Look at Some of the Factors Involved in Third-Party Providers and Treatment Planning

• NCJ Number: 164648
• Journal: Journal Volume: 144 Dated: (July) Pages: 321-324
• Author(s): T Pourciau; A F Sanders; B Buckel
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

In order to provide patients with drug abuse treatment that matched their needs, an inpatient study of 267 patient discharges in Louisiana was conducted in 1990.

Abstract

Of the 267 patient discharges, 225 (84.2 percent) were satisfactory and 42 (15.8 percent) were considered premature. Significant internal variances that influenced treatment planning and results included drugs of choice, family involvement, prior treatment, legal history, employer involvement, and detoxification. The primary drug of choice was alcohol, accounting for 63.3 percent of total discharges and 54.7 percent of premature discharges. Cocaine accounted for 20.2 percent of total discharges and 26.2 percent of premature discharges. The family was involved in 71.6 percent of satisfactory discharges and in only 26.2 percent of premature discharges. Prior treatment was present in 22.8 percent of the patients, and medical detoxification was required in 48 percent of satisfactory discharges and in 69.1 percent of premature discharges. A history of legal problems was present in 14.2 percent of satisfactory discharges and in 23.8 percent of premature discharges. The employer was involved in 24 percent of satisfactory discharges and in only 7.1 percent of patients leaving treatment prematurely. The authors point out that the patient census in drug treatment programs is impaired by the lack of or limits on insurance coverage for drug abuse treatment. 1 reference and 3 tables