Is Substance Abuse Treatment Providing Services to the Right Population?

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between treatment retention, and drug severity level in a therapeutic community setting for drug and alcohol treatment. Treatment retention is significant because length of time in treatment has been shown to correlate with success after treatment that impacts everyone. The design of this study was exploratory, descriptive, and cross-sectional. Data were collected in 2000 from a convenience sample of 18 to 25 year-old, primarily low-income and minority addicts who were currently in a therapeutic community in New Jersey, USA. The participants were then tracked for 90 days as to their status in the program and staff completed a motivation measure. Results indicated that severity of addiction was significant to treatment retention.

Keywords:

• drug severity
• substance abuse
• therapeutic community
• treatment retention

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelly Ward

Kelly Ward is a PhD, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is an Assistant Professor at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ and in private practice with Colts Neck Consulting Group in Colts Neck, NJ. She has worked for 15+ years in the addiction field and has published 3 book chapters, 3 articles, and has 11 national (USA) and state presentations on addictions. She recently received the Presidential Award from the State of New Jersey Associated Treatment Providers for her service to the substance abuse treatment community in New Jersey.