Similarity of outcome predictors across opiate, cocaine, and alcohol treatments: role of treatment services

Abstract

This study examined the patient and treatment factors associated with 6-month outcome in 649 opiate-, alcohol-, and cocaine-dependent (male and female) adults, treated in inpatient and outpatient settings, in 22 publicly and privately funded programs. Outcomes were predicted by similar factors, regardless of the drug problem of the patient or the type of treatment setting or funding. Greater substance use at follow-up was predicted only by greater severity of alcohol and drug use at treatment admission, not by the number of services received during treatment. Better social adjustment at follow-up was negatively predicted by more severe psychiatric, employment, and family problems at admission and positively predicted by more psychiatric, family, employment, and medical services provided during treatment.