GROUP-COUNSELING VERSUS INDIVIDUALIZED RELAPSE PREVENTION AFTERCARE FOLLOWING INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR COCAINE DEPENDENCE - INITIAL RESULTS

Ninety-eight male cocaine-dependent patients who completed an intensiv e outpatient program (IOP) were randomly assigned to either standard g roup counseling (STND) or individualized relapse prevention (RP) after care. Heavier cocaine and alcohol use during IOP and low self-efficacy predicted more cocaine use during the treatment phase of the study, w hereas lifetime diagnoses of alcohol dependence, major depression, and any anxiety disorder predicted less cocaine use. Rates of complete ab stinence during the 6-month study period were higher in STND than RP, whereas RP was more effective in limiting the extent of cocaine use in those who used during Months 1-3. Matching analyses indicated patient s who failed to achieve remission from cocaine dependence during IOP a nd those with a commitment to absolute abstinence did better in RP tha n in STND, whereas patients with other abstinence goals did better in STND than RP. Several differences in experiences before cocaine use an d ''near-miss'' episodes were also identified.