Treatment goals of alcohol-dependent and drug-dependent patients

At the time of admission to treatment, 450 alcohol-dependent patients and 198 drug-dependent patients were asked to complete a brief questionnaire regarding their interest in 26 treatment goals. An analysis of the goal questionnaire data revealed that from the total sample of patients more than 70 percent wanted assistance, in addition to help with substance dependency, with medical problems, psychological problems, school or job counseling, and recreational guidance. Between alcohol- and drug-dependent groups, statistically significant (p less than .05) but small differences were found for numerous goal items, with drug-dependent patients wanting assistance for more goal items than alcohol-dependent patients.