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Effect of Drug User Treatment on Psychosocial Change: A Comparison of In-Treatment and Out-of-Treatment Cocaine Users

NCJ Number
165264
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 31 Issue: 9 Dated: (1996) Pages: 1083-1100
Author(s)
D C Bell; A J Richard; C A Dayton
Date Published
1996
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A panel study of 189 heavy cocaine and crack users who were in treatment and 297 heavy cocaine and crack users who were out of treatment was used to test the hypothesis that drug users who took part in drug treatment would have more psychosocial improvement than those not taking part.
Abstract
The participants all came from Houston and were from separate but parallel samples. The data were collected during 1992 and 1993. The participants provided informed consent and were assessed with respect to changes in cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and self-esteem. Members of the community sample had not been in drug treatment during the 30 days prior to participation. They were offered HIV testing, referrals, and information and were remunerated for their time at intake and follow-up interviewers. The treatment group took part in an intensive outpatient program using a neurobehavioral approach consisting of 4 days of treatment per week for 3 months and 1 day per week for up to a year. The program included individual and group sessions, exercise, outings, nutritional and educational groups, 12-step groups, life skills, HIV education and testing, and other components. Results revealed that although time in treatment was significantly associated with improvements in all three domains, a simple path model suggested that changes in cognitive functioning may have mediated changes in self-esteem and emotional functioning. Findings indicated that treatment produces psychological change and suggest that the cognitive domain may drive most of this change. Tables, figure, and 38 references (Author abstract modified)

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