Client evaluations of drug abuse treatment in relation to follow-up outcomes

A national sample of drug treatment clients admitted to the Drug Abuse Treatment Program (DARP) during 1969--1972 was followed approximately 5 years after admission. Subjective evaluations of treatment were compared for clients in methadone maintenance, therapeutic community, outpatient drug-free, and outpatient detoxification treatment programs, as well as a comparison group of clients who completed intake but received no treatment. These evaluations were also analyzed in relation to client background and treatment performance measures and post-treatment outcomes. The overall evaluation of DARP treatments by former clients was generally favorable and was highest for the DARP therapeutic community. Over two-thirds of the combined treatment sample indicated satisfaction with the treatment they received and a willingness to recommend it to others. Favorable evaluation was also positively related to during-treatment performance and tenure in DARP treatment as well as to behavioral outcomes after leaving treatment.