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Gender differences in cocaine dependent patients: a 6 month follow-up study
R D Weiss1, J Martinez-Raga, M L Griffin
1Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02178, USA. rdwss@aol.com
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|January 10, 1997
Summary
Women hospitalized for cocaine dependence showed better treatment outcomes than men, remaining abstinent longer. This suggests specific characteristics of women in mixed-gender programs may influence recovery success in treating cocaine addiction.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Cocaine dependence is a significant public health issue with complex treatment challenges.
- Understanding gender-specific differences in treatment outcomes is crucial for optimizing interventions.
- Previous research suggests potential variations in recovery trajectories between men and women with cocaine use disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical characteristics and 6-month treatment outcomes of hospitalized men and women with cocaine dependence.
- To identify factors associated with differential treatment success in a mixed-gender population.
- To replicate and extend previous findings on gender differences in cocaine dependence recovery.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month prospective follow-up study involving 64 men and 37 women hospitalized for cocaine dependence.
- Comparison of sociodemographic data, drug history, psychiatric diagnoses, and Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores during hospitalization.
- Assessment of cocaine use and ASI scores at the 6-month follow-up point.
Main Results:
- During hospitalization, women exhibited more severe family and social problems, while men presented with higher rates of antisocial personality disorder.
- At the 6-month follow-up, a significantly greater proportion of women achieved abstinence compared to men.
- The initial disparity in family/social problem severity between genders was no longer significant at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Women with cocaine dependence demonstrate better treatment outcomes, specifically sustained abstinence, compared to men in mixed-gender treatment settings.
- The findings support previous research indicating a more favorable recovery trajectory for women in cocaine dependence treatment.
- Specific characteristics of women entering these programs may contribute to their improved outcomes, warranting further investigation into tailored treatment approaches.