Clients entering drug abuse day treatment: 18-month outcomes

Clients who entered and remained in day treatment for at least 2 weeks (N = 66) were interviewed at 6, 12, and 18 months after baseline. Follow-up rates for each time point ranged from 58% to 68%, and 30 clients (45%) were interviewed at every time point. Those who were consistently followed (N = 30) did not differ from those who were not consistently followed (N = 36) on demographics or on outcome variables measured at baseline. Comparison of mean outcome scores across time using MANOVA indicated significant changes from baseline to 6 months in the areas of alcohol, drug, legal, and social problem severity, and these changes were maintained up to 18 months postadmission. Outcomes reflecting psychiatric symptoms and employment also changed over time, but exhibited different patterns of change. Results are confounded by treatment received, since many respondents also participated in residential treatment during follow-up. Day treatment can serve clients having a range of substance abuse problems, and can act as a bridge to traditional residential treatment. Randomized clinical trials, where clients receive only one or the other type of treatment, are needed to assess the effectiveness of day treatment alone.