Selecting substance abusers for long-term treatment

From a population of indigent alcoholics, those selected for long-term treatment were compared with those who were not selected on demographics, personality, and drinking history. A discriminate function analysis accurately classified 84%. The graded stepwise discriminatory variables for selection for long-term treatment were: less extreme MMPI scores on psychopathic deviance, depression, dependency, and hypochondriasis; higher scores on control and ego strength; less severe alcohol history; and slightly higher education. Only 52% of those selected completed long-term treatment. Variables associated with selection for long-term treatment found here are consistent those found associated with treatment completion in other studies. Systematic selection for these variables should improve long-term treatment completion rates.