Thirty-two patients with coexisting substance abuse and other
psychiatric disorders were treated in a unique outpatient pilot program
that used techniques drawn from both psychiatric and substance abuse
treatment. Eleven patients remained in treatment for 3 or more months, and
seven completed a year or more of treatment. Severity of associated
psychiatric illness did not affect retention in treatment. Drug-abusing
patients and those with personality disorders dropped out quickly; patients
with a history of reliable outpatient treatment involvement tended to
remain in treatment. Treatment retention was associated with reduced
hospital utilization. The authors suggest guidelines for management of
patients with coexisting substance abuse and other psychiatric
disorders.
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