Randomization in a substance abuse treatment study: Participants who consent vs those who do not

Abstract

Objective: A mixed research design study compared patients who consented to treatment randomization with patients who opted for usual care. Methods: Patients in substance abuse rehabilitation who consented to randomization (that is, consenting group [CG]) were compared with those unwilling to undergo randomization (that is, nonconsenting group [NG]) but who, nevertheless, underwent the experimental assessment sessions, which spanned from intake to 6-month follow-up. Results: Patients in the CG exhibited a longer history of drug abuse, less occupational stability at intake, and following intensive treatment, tended not to do as well in terms of recovery, compared with those in the NG. Conclusion: Inclusion of data from partial participants in research protocols may offer a viable strategy to better appraise data generalizability.