Many studies have found that the longer a drug user remains in treatment, the more positive the outcome. The subjects of this study were injection drug users and crack users who were out of treatment at the time of their recruitment to the study. Between the initial and 6-month follow-up interviews, some chose to enroll in drug treatment. The more time a subject spent in treatment during the follow-up period, the more likely it was that he or she was not using heroin or cocaine at follow-up. Positive effects of time in treatment were found even when time in treatment was less than 90 days. The article recommends that those who provide drug treatment outreach and other services not be unduly discouraged by clients who spend less than the recommended time in treatment. Service providers should attempt to maintain contact with dropouts and support their return to treatment. In addition, out-of-treatment drug users should be encouraged to attend self-help groups, since some drug users can and do stop drug use outside of formal settings. The social support offered by self-help groups may serve to reinforce or even increase the individual’s motivation for stopping drug use. Tables, references