Failure of Outpatient Treatment of Drug Abuse: II. Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Hallucinogens
WILLIAM H. ANDERSON 1,
JOHN E. O'MALLEY M.D.2, , and
AARON LAZARE M.D.3
1 Chief Psychiatrist, U.S. Naval Hospital, FPO, New York, N.Y.
2 Clinical fellow and resident, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit St., Boston, Mass. 02114
3 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Outpatient Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit St., Boston, Mass. 02114
The authors report their experience over an 18-month period with 208 patients who abused amphetamines, barbiturates, and hallucinogens. Although treatment modalities of psychotropic medications and individual and group psychotherapy were offered, almost no patients became engaged in a therapeutic situation. Of 83 patients who were offered continuing care, eight returned for a single visit and one followed through with the recommended treatment.
