Research Note: Treatment of Female Addicts: The Importance of Relationships to Parents, Partners, and Peers for the Outcome

Abstract

In an intensive case study, a representative sample of female addicts (n = 13) were followed through the total program of a hierarchical TC and again 2 months later. The type of relationship to parents was repeated in partner and peer relationships, which were strongly related to outcome. All women in the nonsuccessful group entered into destructive relationships to male coresidents in the outpatient period, while none of the women in the successful group did so. Parents, partners, and peer relationships should therefore be in focus during treatment, and one should consider whether women should have separate treatment programs.

Key Words:

• Female addicts
• Treatment
• Relationship problems
• Significant others
• Outcome