Retention in an Aftercare Program for Recovering Women

• NCJ Number: 173185
• Journal: Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: 1998 Pages: 917-933
• Author(s): K Coughey; K Feighan; R Cheney; G Klein
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 17 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA06989
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study assessed retention in an aftercare program of case management and peer support for formerly homeless mothers following residential drug treatment.

Abstract

All participants received 1 year of case management services, and a random sample of the women also participated in a peer support group. Retention in the case management program was analyzed by comparing women who remained in the program for at least 1 year (n=83) with women who dropped out (n=52). Remaining in the program required that a woman maintain an ongoing dialog with her case manager by keeping scheduled office visits and accepting telephone calls and home visits. A participant was expected to remain abstinent from drug and alcohol and to work toward goals that were appropriate to her skill level and lifestyle. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Upon admission into the program, quantitative data were obtained through intake interviews; two instruments were used to collect the data: the Addiction Severity Index and a pre-post assessment questionnaire. Two sources of qualitative data were used: field notes from trained participant-observers who attended peer support group meetings and interview notes of research staff who met with the case managers. Findings show that length of residential drug treatment, length of sobriety, strong support networks, and concerns about housing and parenting predicted completion of the case-management component. Emotional instability and the severity of problems were found to correlate with participation in the peer support group. Sociodemographic characteristics were not related to program retention. The findings show the need to tailor aftercare services to the level of clients' recovery and the need for female-only aftercare groups where women can safely discuss physical and sexual abuse issues related to their misuse of drugs. 4 tables and 31 references