Patient and program attributes related to treatment process indicators in DATOS

Abstract

Patient ratings of their personal confidence in treatment and commitment to recovery were examined in a national sample of long-term residential, outpatient drug-free, and outpatient methadone programs. It was found that patients expressing greater confidence and commitment after 3 months of treatment generally began with higher motivation at intake, had formed better rapport with counselors, and attended counseling sessions more frequently. In addition, overall levels of patient involvement (as indicated by confidence and commitment) varied across programs; those programs with higher average involvement by patients used more social and public health services, maintained more consistent attendance at counseling sessions, and served patients who collectively had more similar kinds of needs. Thus, patient and program attributes both play a role in determining therapeutic engagement of persons who enter drug treatment.