Full Text Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Gottheil, E. Articles by Serota, R. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Gottheil, E. Articles by Serota, R. D. Outcome and Process Assessment Outpatient Services Cocaine

A Randomized Controlled Study of the Effectiveness of Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Cocaine Dependence

OBJECTIVE: A randomized controlled study design was used to compare the effectiveness of intensive outpatient treatment with individual outpatient counseling and a combination of individual and group outpatient counseling for cocaine-dependent patients. METHODS: Volunteers for this study were recruited from among first admissions to an inner-city, public-sector outpatient substance abuse clinic. In-treatment, end-of-treatment, and nine-month follow-up assessments were compared for participants randomly assigned for 12 weeks to one of three treatment modalities—weekly individual outpatient counseling, weekly individual counseling plus one weekly group session, or a newly designed intensive group treatment program consisting of three hours of group treatment three days a week. Results and conclusions: Patients who completed the intensive program showed significant improvement from intake to end-of-treatment scores on the Addiction Severity Index, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Symptom Checklist. At nine-month follow-up, patients who had remained in treatment longer had fewer drug problems, a smaller proportion of positive urine drug screening tests, a better employment status, and fewer psychological problems compared with patients who left treatment earlier. Patients who remained in treatment were also more likely to be attending self-help meetings, continuing in outpatient treatment, or attending school. However, for the 447 patients randomly assigned to the three conditions, there were no significant differences between treatment modalities on any of the variables at nine-month follow-up. The new intensive treatment program was not shown to be superior to more traditional treatment programs.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y.-I. Hser, D. Longshore, and M. D. Anglin The Life Course Perspective on Drug Use: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Drug Use Trajectories Eval Rev, December 1, 2007; 31(6): 515 - 547. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Westphal Individual drug counselling plus group drug counselling was effective in patients with cocaine dependence Evid. Based Ment. Health, February 1, 2000; 3(1): 13 - 13. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1998 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us