NCJ Number
165461
Journal
Journal of Maintenance in the Addictions Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (1997) Pages: 63-74
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The effects of program and client variables on retention in drug treatment were examined using data from 15 methadone clinics in New York City.
Abstract
The research was part of a continuing study of the impact of client and program variables on outcomes of methadone maintenance clinic. The sample consists of all 2,786 new admissions to a convenience sample of 15 methadone maintenance clinics in New York City during 1989 and 1990, excluding 88 discharged with most or all treatment goals met and 292 transferred to other programs. The analysis used automated admission and discharge databases maintained by the New York State government. Results revealed that females tended to stay in treatment longer than males and that Hispanic persons tended to stay longer than either non-Hispanic white or black persons. Older persons tended to stay longer than younger persons. Self-referred clients stayed longer than those referred by hospitals and other agencies. Those dependent only on heroin stayed longer than those with multiple drug dependencies. Finally, retention rates varied among clinics even after controlling for differences in client characteristics. Findings indicated that differences in the treatment settings were more important than client characteristics in explaining retention. Tables, note, and 26 references