Compliance Among Adolescents During Drug Treatment

ABSTRACT

Research on adolescent drug treatment engagement is scarce; however, such research on adults suggests that successful engagement in treatment increases the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes. Compliance during drug treatment reflects treatment engagement. We examined self-assessed compliance (agreement with treatment goals, meeting treatment staff expectations, and following treatment staff instructions), behavioral compliance (staying for the duration of planned treatment), and their influences, among adolescents in treatment. Stepwise logistic regression showed that desire for help was significantly (p < 05) related to more compliance. Compared with those in residential treatment, those in inpatient treatment were more likely to agree with treatment goals, to follow instructions, and to stay for the planned duration of treatment; those in outpatient treatment were more likely to meet treatment expectations. Psychological maladjustment was related to less self-perceived compliance. We discuss the implications of these findings for adolescent treatment engagement.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• treatment
• compliance