Randomized comparison of intensive outpatient vs. individual therapy for cocaine abusers

One of the fastest growing approaches to treating cocaine addiction is intensive outpatient treatment (INT). Nevertheless, there have been no previously reported controlled clinical trials comparing this approach to the more traditional (IND) or individual plus group (IND-GRP). This early report of the results of a clinical trial comparing these three approaches indicated that patients who remained in treatment and completed a twelve-week course of care demonstrated significant improvements in drug use and psychological functioning. However, INT, IND, and IND-GRP did not differ on any of the assessments made during treatment or at treatment completion. The results underscored the importance of remaining in a course of care in order to effect behavioral change. A next step would involve a systematic comparison of those persons who do best in each modality in an effort to define the variables which could help match a patient to a treatment in which he/she is most likely to remain.