The Relationship Between Anxiety Levels and Outcome of Cocaine Abuse Treatment

Abstract

Although a number of studies have examined the comorbidity of anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, much less is known about the impact of anxiety symptoms on substance use and on substance abuse treatment outcome. In the current study, we examined how self-reported anxiety levels, as measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, were related to cocaine use variables and patterns following substance abuse treatment. There were 108 patients in substance abuse treatment who met DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for cocaine abuse or dependence who completed an assessment battery at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. State anxiety scores significantly declined from pre- to posttreatment and remained stable into the 3-month follow-up period regardless of relapse status. Trait anxiety was correlated positively with negative consequences due to cocaine use and negatively correlated with days in treatment. State and trait anxiety both were correlated positively with the Alcohol Composite Index of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). These findings suggest that elevated anxiety scores at pretreatment subside with time, do not require clinical management of associated anxiety symptoms, and may be a temporary by-product of experiencing negative consequences due to recent cocaine use.