A Statewide Follow-Up Study of Alcohol and Illegal Drug Use Treatment

Abstract

Objective: Estimates of the 6- to 12-month prevalence of substance use and results of tests comparing drug use among individuals that completed and did not complete substance abuse treatment are provided. Method: The sample consists of 499 participants in a computerized assisted telephone interview in 1999. Results: Alcohol was the most commonly used substance followed by marijuana and cocaine or crack. Individuals that completed outpatient treatment were less likely to have used cocaine or crack when compared with individuals that did not complete out-patient treatment. A lower percentage of individuals that completed residential treatment used alcohol, marijuana, or crack when compared to noncompleters; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Frequency of family arguments and shorter treatment episodes were significantly associated with drug use. Conclusions: Posttreatment substance use varied as a function of the type of drug used, treatment modality, familial relationship, and length of treatment.

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