COUNSELING FREQUENCY AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUTPATIENT DRUG TREATMENT: REVISITING THE CONCLUSION THAT “MORE IS BETTER”

Abstract

Replicating and extending previous research, findings from a prospective investigation of outpatient drug treatment (n = 356) indicate that higher frequency of participation in group counseling during treatment predicts higher rates of alcohol and drug abstinence even for those who complete the 6-month treatment program and maintain weekly or more frequent attendance of 12-step meetings during and after treatment. Greater length of group and individual counseling sessions, however, is not associated with higher rates of abstinence, and contrary to previous research, the modest but statistically significant association between the frequency of individual counseling and abstinence was not replicated. With respect to treatment completion, regular attendance at 12-step meetings, and frequent participation in group counseling while in treatment, the evidence suggests that “more is better.”

• Duration
• Effectiveness
• Frequency
• Intensity
• Outpatient drug treatment counseling
• 12-step programs