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Predicting in‐treatment performance and post‐treatment outcomes in methamphetamine users
Author(s) -
Hillhouse Maureen P.,
MarinelliCasey Patricia,
Gonzales Rachel,
Ang Alfonso,
Rawson Richard A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01768.x
Subject(s) - methamphetamine , craving , addiction treatment , addiction , medicine , treatment and control groups , drug treatment , psychology , treatment effect , clinical psychology , psychiatry , traditional medicine
Aims This study examines the utility of individual drug use and treatment characteristics for predicting in‐treatment performance and post‐treatment outcomes over a 1‐year period. Design, setting and participants Data were collected from 420 adults who participated in the Methamphetamine Treatment Project (MTP), a multi‐site study of randomly assigned treatment for methamphetamine dependence. Interviews were conducted at baseline, during treatment and during three follow‐up time‐points: treatment discharge and at 6 and 12 months following admission. Measurements The Addiction Severity Index (ASI); the Craving, Frequency, Intensity and Duration Estimate (CFIDE); and laboratory urinalysis results were used in the current study. Findings Analyses addressed both in‐treatment performance and post‐treatment outcomes. The most consistent finding is that pre‐treatment methamphetamine use predicts in‐treatment performance and post‐treatment outcomes. No one variable predicted all in‐treatment performance measures; however, gender, route of administration and pre‐treatment methamphetamine use were significant predictors. Similarly, post‐treatment outcomes were predicted by a range of variables, although pre‐treatment methamphetamine use was significantly associated with each post‐treatment outcome. Conclusions These findings provide useful empirical information about treatment outcomes for methamphetamine abusers, and highlight the utility of assessing individual and in‐treatment characteristics in the development of appropriate treatment plans.