NCJ Number
129449
Date Published
1989
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Follow-up data on clients discharged between July 1983 and June 1987 from drug treatment programs in Colorado were examined in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.
Abstract
The clients were separated into three samples according to the fiscal year during which they were discharged from treatment. The first sample of clients were interviewed for follow-up biannually between 7 and 13 months post-discharge. The second sample consisted of clients with increased risk time who were interviewed between 7 and 19 months post-discharge. The third group included clients interviewed between 10 and 22 months post-discharge. A severity scale was incorporated into the selection of the random sample of clients. Outcome measures included substance use, readmission to alcohol or drug treatment after discharge, and arrests. These three criteria were combined into eight possible outcomes to construct a 3-level model of treatment success. Clients were then categorized into one of three group types: responsive to treatment and abstinent, responsive to treatment with non-problematic use, and non-responsive to treatment to date. The results of the application of this treatment success model to each of the three samples discussed are given for both alcohol treatment outcomes and for drug treatment outcomes. 8 tables and 7 references