Predictors of dropout from psychosocial treatment of cocaine dependence

Abstract

The current study assessed demographic, drug and psychiatric predictors of dropout in the pilot/training phase of a large, multi-site psychotherapy outcome study for patients with cocaine dependence. The different predictors of dropout were assessed throughout the phases of the study: screening, intake, stabilization and assessment phase, and following randomization to treatment. Results showed that (1) younger patients were less likely to keep their intake appointment. (2) Of the patients who had an intake visit, those who did not complete high school and with more days of cocaine use in the previous month were less likely to complete an initial stabilization and assessment phase requiring 1 week of abstinence from all drugs. A survival analysis was used to examine time to dropout for the 286 patients randomized to individual treatment. (3) Again, younger age was associated with dropout after randomization. (4) Drug use variables did not predict time to dropout. (5) Presence of any current Axis I disorder was associated with later dropout from treatment. Minority treatment information seekers and treatment initiators were less likely to go on to complete the full treatment program.