Predictors of retention in treatment in a tertiary care de-addiction center

Retention in treatment can improve the outcomes of patients with substance use disorders.

This study aimed to assess the predictors of treatment retention in a set of patients admitted with substance use disorders.

This record-based study was conducted among consecutive patients discharged from the inpatient unit of a tertiary care de-addiction facility in Northern India.

Patients were classified as being retained in treatment or drop-outs based on follow-up records.

Those who were retained and those who dropped out were compared using appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests. Logistic regression was used to find out the predictors of retention in treatment.

A total of 88 case records were evaluated. All subjects were males and majority of the sample was married, educated up to 10(th) grade, employed, belonged to the nuclear family and urban background. Opioid dependence syndrome (96.6%) was the most common substance use disorder identified. Guilt feelings, general weakness of body, and loss of social respect were the most common substance-related complications experienced. Of the total sample, 40 (45.4%) were classified as retained into treatment. Higher socioeconomic status and having a family member with substance use was associated with higher chances of treatment retention.

Identification of patient characteristics predicting drop-outs can help in targeting those individuals at higher risk. This can help in more favorable patient outcomes.