The author examined follow-up outcomes in the first year after treatment
in relation to time spent in treatment in the Drug Abuse Reporting Program.
Follow-up interviews were completed with more than 3,000 people admitted to
drug abuse treatment during 1969--1972, including clients treated with
methadone maintenance, therapeutic communities, outpatient drug-free
programs, and outpatient detoxification, as well as a group who completed
intake procedures but did not return for treatment. Longer time in
treatment was related to better posttreatment outcome, but clients who
spent less than 3 months in treatment were not significantly different from
the detoxification- only group or the intake-only group.
Abstract Teaser