[Early drop-outs and retentions in substance abuse outpatient clinics: a cross-sectional comparative study of factors...

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Patient adherence to treatment is crucial for successful outcomes in substance abuse programs.
• Early abandonment of outpatient treatment poses a significant challenge in addiction services.
• Identifying risk factors for early discharge is essential for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the risk factors associated with early abandonment of outpatient treatment in substance abuse clinics.
• To provide insights into patient characteristics and circumstances that predict treatment dropout.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in substance abuse clinics in Girona, Spain.
• 264 individuals were analyzed, with a focus on adherence to therapy within the first two months.
• Clinical and socio-demographic variables were compared using t-tests, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Factors increasing the risk of early abandonment include attending appointments unaccompanied (OR=3.13), being female (OR=2.44), cocaine-related issues (OR=1.14), and younger age (OR=0.89).
• Referral to specialists from a Primary Health Centre significantly reduced the risk of abandonment (OR=0.28).
• 34.8% of participants (n=92) abandoned treatment within two months.

Conclusions:

• Vulnerable patient groups, such as women and younger individuals, require focused attention and support.
• Enhanced coordination between specialist and primary healthcare services can improve treatment adherence among individuals with substance use disorders.
• Family involvement and tailored support strategies are recommended to mitigate early treatment dropout.