NCJ Number
172399
Journal
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: special issue (December 1997) Pages: 324-337
Date Published
1997
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article describes the methodology and findings of the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS), the first prospective, multisite treatment outcome investigation of drug users in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
A total of 1,075 problem drug users were recruited for the study: 122 from inpatient drug dependence units, 286 from rehabilitation units, 458 from methadone maintenance clinics, and 209 from methadone reduction programs. Data were collected through a set of structured interviews developed specifically for NTORS. Information was obtained on patterns of drug and alcohol use, health-risk behavior, readiness for treatment and motivation for change, physical health problems, psychological health problems, criminal behavior, and treatment history. Findings showed that the most frequent problem was heroin addiction with associated polydrug-use problems. There were differences between modalities in substance use at intake. Clients in residential modalities were older, were more likely to use cocaine and alcohol in addition to opiates, had longer drug careers, and had more previous treatment contact. Substantial improvements in a range of substance-use problems were observed at 6-month follow-up among clients in all treatment modalities. 3 tables and 47 references