The relationship between the profile of severity of addiction and the retention of patients in the ambulatory program of DDTP

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: The authors described some variables related to the retention of drug dependent veterans receiving outpatient treatment at San Juan V.A.M.C. and compared the profile of addiction severity with retention using a global dysfunction scale. METHODS: The clinical charts of 74 patients were examined at random using a 16-item questionnaire based on the ASI scale. The data was processed and analyzed using the Epi Info V6.2 computer program, utilizing chi square as the main statistics. RESULTS: The patient's retention in treatment for > or = to 3 months was associated with some specific variables such as more than 12 years of education, being Catholic, divorced, living with parents, use of more than one drug of preference, having a negative urine toxicology result before treatment and after treatment, and showing a favorable change in urine toxicology results. In terms of severity of dysfunction, a considerable substance problem and an extreme legal problem were associated with a retention of > or = to 3 months, as well as no evidence of occupational problems. CONCLUSION: The strong correlation between specific variables and the retention of patients in treatment for > or = to 3 months should create awareness of the importance of available and effective treatments in the fight against substance abuse and mental health problems as well as to educate and integrate family members in patients treatment, since a supportive family member is one of the best tools that patients and therapist can have to help maintain patient's sobriety