Biopsychosocial characteristics and treatment outcomes of pregnant cocaine-dependent women in residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare the characteristics and treatment outcomes of pregnant cocaine-dependent women and their infants enrolled in residential (N=32) and outpatient (N=32) treatment settings. Biopsychosocial characteristics and issues that influenced the women's multiple treatment outcomes are highlighted. Comparisons of retention and infant birth outcomes found no significant differences between treatment programs, whereas abstinence and patterns of attrition showed meaningful differences favoring residential treatment. Further research is needed to evaluate whether the reported treatment outcomes are markers of improved life functioning that hold promise for the women in treatment, their families and the community.