Treating an opiate-dependent inpatient population: a one-year follow-up study of treatment completers and noncompleters

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of patients who completed
(completers) inpatient treatment of drug dependence with those who failed to complete this programme
(noncompleters). Method: Participants were assessed at admission using the Substance Abuse
Assessment Questionnaire (SAAQ) to obtain information about the sociodemographic background,
history of drug and alcohol use, physical health, mental health, offending behaviour, and interpersonal
relationships. Follow-up interviews were carried out 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after discharge using the
SAAQ-Follow-up. To form the three comparison groups, participants were divided on the basis of
completion of detoxification and receipt of aftercare. Results and conclusions: Significantly better
treatment outcome was observed amongst those who completed detoxification and went on to spend at
least 6 weeks in a recovery and/or residential rehabilitation unit. In contrast, there were no significant
differences between noncompleters and completers who had no aftercare on the majority of measures
of drug use during follow-up. D 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assisted in collection of primary data, supervisor of one of the other researchers involved in the study (S. Byrne), part of research team in terms of conceptualisation of research, and execution, contributed to write up in terms of feedback.