Changes in Substance Use and Risk Behaviors One Year After Treatment: Outcomes Associated with a Quasi-Residential Rehabilitation Service for Alcohol and Drug Users in Edinburgh

ABSTRACT

Despite limited evidence base, rehabilitation services are associated with positive outcomes in U.K. research (Best et al., 2010). The authors investigated outcomes associated following a 12-week abstinence-based treatment program. Data were collected from 145 patients using a European Version of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-X) at intake, 6 months, and 1 year after completion. Individuals showed significantly better ASI-X scores after participating in program compared to their scores prior to the intervention. Those who completed the program had significantly better outcomes in medical and psychiatric domains at 12-month follow-up than those who dropped out before completion. Attending this abstinence-based program was associated with positive changes to physical health and social wellbeing, which were sustained 12 months after completion.

KEYWORDS:

• Abstinence
• alcohol
• drugs
• effectiveness
• recovery
• substance misuse
• treatment

Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by Scottish Government.