NCJ Number
189938
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 171-183
Date Published
2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This research used data from the U.S. Army's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program to analyze which treatment and demographic variables had an effect on cocaine treatment outcomes.
Abstract
The sample was composed of 3,602 soldiers who entered treatment between 1983 and 1992 for cocaine abuse. The subjects received one modality of treatment or a combination of modalities. These combinations could include individual therapy, group therapy, education sessions, participating in a 12-step program, or a modality of treatment labeled "other." "Other" involved an outpatient treatment that did not include traditional individual therapy, group therapy, educational sessions, or a 12-step program. It could have been a less traditional therapy such as a hypnotic intervention or a physical activity program. The treatment facilities were located on U.S. Army bases throughout the world. Length of outpatient treatment enrollment ranged from 30 to 360 days. In addition to demographic and treatment variables, the following variables were also studied: frequency of alcohol and/or cocaine use, last use of alcohol and/or cocaine prior to treatment, number of diagnoses at the time of enrollment to treatment, number of treatment admissions, length of time in the Army, and days in treatment. The dependent variable was identified as treatment outcomes. A negative outcome occurred when a soldier did not successfully complete treatment or she/he refused treatment or was discharged from the Army for continued substance abuse. Successful treatment involved no longer abusing drugs, as determined by urinalysis and observation of job performance; it was also necessary for the soldier to return to duty and function appropriately. The logistical regression results suggested the following treatment variables had an effect on outcomes: the type of treatment provided, the length of time in treatment, the number of different types of drugs being abused prior to treatment, and the length of time since the patient had abused cocaine prior to entering treatment. Race of the patient had an impact on treatment outcomes (Hispanic-Americans had the highest probability of success, and Asian/Pacific Islanders and Alaskan Natives had the lowest probability of success), but gender, educational level, age, rank of the soldier, marital status, and length of time in the military did not have an impact on treatment outcomes. 3 tables and 17 references