NCJ Number
196556
Journal
American Journal on Addictions Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: Winter 2002 Pages: 10-23
Date Published
2002
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the influence of demographic variables, severity of drug dependence, and drug-related problems in facilitating or impeding engagement into a research treatment program.
Abstract
The study compared the characteristics of patients who dropped out at each of the three stages of the research treatment: phone screening, intake, and randomization to treatment. A total of 420 of the 2,197 patients were rated as ineligible for the study after telephone screening. The 1,777 screened and eligible patients were mostly male (69 percent), Caucasian (55 percent), unemployed (51 percent), and lived alone (74 percent). The mean age was 33 years, and the patients had used cocaine an average of 14 days in the past month. Seventeen percent of the patients had sought substance abuse treatment in the past month, and 6 percent had sought psychiatric treatment. All patients screened over the phone and deemed eligible were invited for an intake visit. A total of 937 (53 percent) actually attended an intake visit, and 870 started the orientation phase. Of the 937 who came to the first intake visit, 54 did not return, and 13 met exclusion criteria at the intake visit. Of the 870 patients who started the orientation phase, 254 (29 percent) did not complete the attendance requirements, and 129 (15 percent) did not complete the assessment requirements of this phase. A total of 487 patients were randomized to treatment. African-American and unemployed patients were less likely to stay in treatment through intake and orientation, with the largest differences at intake. Younger patients were less likely to complete intake and orientation, with bigger differences noted at randomization. Patients with more days of cocaine use and patients referred from advertisements were less likely to keep their intake appointments. 4 tables and 32 references