Comparison of single and multiple agency clients in substance abuse treatment services.

BACKGROUND

Frequent and multiple service utilization among substance abusers is a well-known problem. However, little statistical evidence exists about overlapping agency populations.

METHODS

This phenomenon was studied in a clear-cut region in Belgium, based on intake information concerning all clients who addressed a drug treatment center within a 6-month period (n=1,139).

RESULTS

Multiple service utilization was rather common but not omnipresent during this particular registration period. Almost 15% of the clients were registered in more than one substance abuse treatment agency. Compared to single agency attendees, multiple agency clients appeared to be more often poly-substance abusers with a longer previous treatment history and greater problem severity.

CONCLUSION

A continuous care perspective, interagency collaboration and a common tracking and documentation system are recommended to better address the needs of this specific subgroup of substance abusers. More research is needed to clarify whether these multiple service utilization patterns are caused by client-related, agency-related or other factors.