Pretreatment Attrition from Couple Therapy for Male Drug Abusers

Abstract

This study tracked pretreatment attrition of 120 callers, 84 of whom were potentially eligible for outpatient couple treatment for male drug abuse. Demographic, significant other, substance use, and access related variables were examined as predictors of intake and treatment entry. Results were similar to other findings regarding variables associated with initiation of individual substance use treatment, and 29% of eligible callers entered treatment. Men whose partners did not use substances or who used in moderation were more likely to attend the intake session, and couples who received referrals were more likely to enter treatment than those who responded to a newspaper advertisement.

• Pretreatment attrition
• Couple therapy
• Drug abuser