Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment: Comparisons With Traditional Outpatient Treatment (From Intensive Outpatient Treatment for the Addictions, P 57-84, 1997, Edward Gottheil and Barry Stimmel, eds. -- See NCJ-169074)

• NCJ Number: 169079
• Author(s): A T McLellan; T A Hagan; K Meyers; M Randall; J Durrell
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 28 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

Using 338 patients in six intensive outpatient (IO) programs and 580 patients in 10 traditional outpatient (TO) programs, this study investigated whether IO substance abuse treatment programs actually provided more intensive services than TO substance abuse programs.

Abstract

Program information was obtained from a national database, and programs were evaluated based on the definition of Level II IO programs developed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Patients in both IO and TO programs were compared in terms of severity of admission problems, treatment services received, and 6-month outcomes. Results showed IO patients generally had the most severe medical, employment, legal, and psychiatric problems at admission. In addition, IO patients received more alcohol and drug services but fewer medical and employment services than TO patients. Both groups received very few psychosocial services. No significant differences were observed between IO and TO program samples at follow-up. Both groups, however, showed significant reductions in substance use and improvements in personal health and social functioning. 27 references and 4 tables