Assessment of Treatment Outcomes in a Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Network: Newark, New Jersey

Abstract

A comparative evaluation outcome model designed to aid in referral of clients to appropriate drug abuse treatment centers was developed for a multimodality drug abuse rehabilitation network in Newark, New Jersey. The model analyzes retention rates and treatment dropout outcome to assess impact, and graduate outcome to assess the effectiveness of the various drug abuse treatment centers. Study of 3,943 addicts found a number of demographic and psychosocial variables that correlated with retention in specific programs; retention of some subgroups in specific treatments was substantially longer than overall retention rates. One year retention rates of 65% in methadone maintenance; 22, 16, and 8.5% in the three therapeutic communities; and less than 5% in two outpatient drug-free programs suggested a study of treatment dropouts outcome. Significant reduction in criminality and drug use were found for all treatment dropouts including a “no-treatment” comparison group; however, significantly larger improvements were noted for dropouts of the methadone maintenance program, two of the three therapeutic communities, and one of the outpatient drug-free clinics when compared with the comparison group in these and other compounded indices designed to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Analysis of graduate outcome showed further reduction in drug use and criminality among methadone maintenance and one of the three therapeutic community graduates. Graduates of this therapeutic community exhibited substantial improvement in employment and productivity. The evaluation model is applicable for treatments for alcohol abuse and offers specific recommendations for improvement in allocation of clients and resources to the various treatments.