Client demographics and outcome in outpatient cocaine treatment

A number of studies have begun to investigate the characteristics of cocaine abusers who are admitted to outpatient cocaine treatment programs. One study has published success rates for such treatment. A review of this literature indicates that much of what is known is based on clinical experience with what may be nonrepresentative samples of upper-middle socioeconomic status Caucasians. More systematic study and more representative samples are needed; the current study attempts to address these issues by sampling 81 clients admitted to a comprehensive outpatient cocaine program in a public agency, assessing demographics and treatment success. The results indicate that this sample is indeed different from those in most recent studies in race, marital status, income, employment, and other demographic variables. For example, the sample in this study included higher percentages of clients who were non-Caucasians, single, blue-collar or unemployed, and had relatively lower annual incomes. Fewer demographic variables than expected correlated with treatment success. Among factors that did correlate with such measures of treatment outcome as continuing in treatment (vs dropping out), percent of sessions attended, and alcohol- and drug-free were educational level, length of abstinence from cocaine prior to beginning treatment, number of previous treatments, secondary substance currently used, and quality of current living situation. Retention in treatment is similar to other published data but indicates that cocaine abusers are indeed difficult to engage and keep in treatment long enough to make a significant impact on their drug use.