NCJ Number
180892
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: July 1999 Pages: 227-241
Date Published
July 1999
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A longitudinal study compared the characteristics of amphetamine users in 16 drug treatment agencies in the North-West of England who came for drug treatment but did not return for a second appointment to matched case-control groups consisting of those who continued in treatment and those who did not seek services.
Abstract
The research collected information through personal, semi-structured interviews, usually in the participants' homes, and tracked the participants for 3-10 months to monitor changes in health, drug use, and social factors. The analysis focused largely on the 18 participants who attended only once; the longitudinal analysis focused on the 9 participants who were matched and who completed all 3 interviews. Those who left treatment were likely to be younger, on probation, using more recreational drugs, and with parents who were aware of their attendance at a drug treatment program. Analyses of the changes in amphetamine use over time revealed an initial decline in the frequency and amount of amphetamine used for the early leavers, similar to that of amphetamine users who continued in treatment. This reduction did not continue in the second month, although it became more pronounced for those still receiving treatment. Findings suggested that the high degree of motivation required by amphetamine users to seek help from a drug treatment service provides a strong incentive for preliminary behavior change even without continued treatment and that support and guidance of skilled drug workers assist the sustained reduction in amphetamine use. Tables and 13 references (Author abstract modified)