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Services research outcomes study: explanation of treatment effectiveness, using individual-level and programmatic
S Schildhaus1, D Gerstein, B Dugoni
1National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago, Washington Office, District of Columbia 20036, USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|January 4, 2001
Summary
This study found that illicit drug use during treatment and longer treatment stays predict better outcomes for drug use and crime. However, treatment program specifics offered limited additional explanation beyond client characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Public health
- Criminology
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing treatment outcomes is crucial for effective addiction recovery programs.
- Previous research often lacked nationally representative data on both treatment facilities and clients.
- Identifying key predictors of post-treatment drug use and criminal behavior remains a public health priority.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the explanatory power of programmatic and individual-level variables on post-treatment outcomes.
- To determine the impact of drug use during treatment on subsequent illicit drug use and crime.
- To investigate the relationship between length of stay and reduced post-treatment substance use and criminal activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the first nationally representative sample of treatment facilities and clients.
- Employed multivariate statistical models to analyze treatment outcomes.
- Controlled for pre-treatment drug use when assessing the impact of in-treatment use.
Main Results:
- Multivariate models explained nearly half of the variance in post-treatment drug use and one-third in crime.
- Illicit drug use during treatment predicted all types of post-treatment drug use and most analyzed crimes.
- Longer treatment stays were associated with decreased likelihood of post-treatment alcohol/illicit drug use and criminal behavior.
Conclusions:
- Client and pre-treatment factors significantly explain post-treatment outcomes in addiction treatment.
- In-treatment drug use and longer duration of stay are important predictors of reduced recidivism.
- Treatment program variables offered minimal additional explanatory power beyond individual and pre-treatment characteristics.