PREDICTORS OF RETENTION IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT:

Increased treatment retention among substance
abusing individuals has been associated with reduced
drug use, fewer arrests, and decreased unemployment,
as well as a reduction in health risk behaviors.
This longitudinal study examined the predictors of
client retention for alternative-to-prison substance
abuse treatment programs through assessing the roles
of motivational factors and the client-worker
relationship. Results support the following
conclusions: Among clients in alternative-to prison
programs the number of days in treatment is
positively related to their motivation to change.
The therapeutic alliance is not a predictor of the
number of days in treatment. Motivation to change,
particularly recognition of a drug problem, is
positively related to the therapeutic alliance.
Changes in motivation to change in response to
treatment are positively related to the therapeutic
alliance among clients in an alternative-to prison
substance abuse treatment programs. These results
carry forward prior research and have implications
for social work practice, research, and social
welfare policy.

Autorentext
Jo Brocato is an Assistant Professor at California State University in Long Beach California She earned her MSW and Ph.D. at Florida International University.She is an LCSW and a CAP. She has practiced in culturally diverse areas with individuals who have substance misuse disorders since 1979.

Klappentext
Increased treatment retention among substance abusing individuals has been associated with reduced drug use, fewer arrests, and decreased unemployment, as well as a reduction in health risk behaviors. This longitudinal study examined the predictors of client retention for alternative-to-prison substance abuse treatment programs through assessing the roles of motivational factors and the client-worker relationship. Results support the following conclusions: Among clients in alternative-to prison programs the number of days in treatment is positively related to their motivation to change. The therapeutic alliance is not a predictor of the number of days in treatment. Motivation to change, particularly recognition of a drug problem, is positively related to the therapeutic alliance. Changes in motivation to change in response to treatment are positively related to the therapeutic alliance among clients in an alternative-to prison substance abuse treatment programs. These results carry forward prior research and have implications for social work practice, research, and social welfare policy.