Impact of a Stimulant-Focused Enhanced Program on the Outcome of Alcohol- and/or Stimulant-Dependent Men

Abstract

This article examines the impact of a more intense drug treatment program and whether different substance problems require different treatment interventions. 383 veterans were included in this study, representing 2 groups of consecutive inpatient male admissions (aged 18–70 yrs) with current alcohol dependence and/or dependence on amphetamines or cocaine. Ss were interviewed at intake using a standardized semistructured assessment instrument. The 1st group of men received the Standard Treatment Program (STP), whereas the 2nd group received the Enhanced Treatment Program (ETP). The latter included an addition of 10 hr per week of intense treatment aimed at stimulants, including 2 newly developed manual-driven groups (Relapse Prevention and Interpersonal Counseling), each of which met twice a week. The patient follow-up was 92% at 3 mo and 83% at 12 mo. Abstinence from substances of abuse for ETP and STP were 63% vs 49% at 3 mo and 43% vs 24% at 12 mo. Logistic regressions demonstrated that treatment type continued to predict outcome even in the context of other potentially predictive variables. Despite the ETP emphasis on stimulants, both alcohol- and stimulant-dependent men appeared to benefit, suggesting a generic improvement in substance use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)