Socio-demographic Differences, Patterns of Use and Drop-out from Greek Drug-free Treatment Programmes

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to identify when drop-out from the Greek drug-free treatment programmesfor heroin users was more likely to occur and what were the socio-demographicdifferences amongst those who demanded treatment and those who eventually dropped out. Data were collected, using the First Treatment Demand Indicator (EMCDDA, 1995). The sample consisted of 299 clients who were admitted to six therapeutic communities in the course of one year. This was the first study carried out in Greek therapeutic communities and measuring drop-out rates. The annual drop-out rate was 74%. Differences emerged between ‘drop-outs’ and remainers in relation to past treatment experience, age of admission and route of substance administration. The analysis also suggested that the time at which ‘drop-out’ is more likely to occur is orderly and predictable and has implications for relapse prevention and further research.