Retention in ambulatory detoxification

The background characteristics and mean levels of neuroticism were compared for three groups of 20 male addicts, each, who (1) completed 21 d of ambulatory detoxification, (2) transferred to methadone maintenance before completing detoxification, and (3) dropped out of detoxification. The patients who completed treatment or dropped out were more likely to be Black and less neurotic than those who transferred to methadone maintenance. In addition, it was found that patients dropped out near the time of the first methadone dose reduction, whereas those who transferred to methadone maintenance did so near the final dose reduction in the 21-d detoxification schedule. The clinical implications for retaining patients until completion of ambulatory detoxification treatment are discussed.