Efficacy of outpatient intensive treatment for drug abuse.

OBJECTIVE

Outpatient intensive treatment for drug and alcohol abuse has become an alternative approach to management of substance abuse. We evaluated the efficacy of an outpatient intensive treatment program for crack cocaine; and the impact of psychiatric diagnosis on outcome variables.

METHOD

Subjects participating in an outpatient intensive treatment program underwent descriptive testing at entry and at six-month followup. Outcome variables included Addiction Severity Index composite scores and retention in treatment.

RESULTS

Subjects demonstrated significant improvement in ASI scales, over time, with an interaction effect of time and scale. Minimal interaction of psychiatric diagnosis and outcome was found.

CONCLUSION

Outpatient intensive treatment demonstrated efficacy in reduction of ASI composite scores. Comparison with standard outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment is needed.