Perception of treatment needs: differences between patients and staff of a drug abuse treatment program

Patients and staff of the Seattle Veterans Administration Drug Dependency Treatment Program were surveyed to elicit their perception of treatment priorities in establishing a series of educationally oriented short-term groups. Comparisons of priorities were made between patients and staff, methadone and polydrug patients, and patients with alcohol problems and those without alcohol problems. After the survey a series of short-term groups was established and attendance was kept. It was found in general that the groups which patients thought had higher priority in their treatment--including drug and medical information, stress management, and money management--were better attended.