Objective: Outpatient intensive treatment for drug and alcohol abuse h
as become an alternative approach to management of substance abuse. We
evaluated the efficacy of an outpatient intensive treatment program f
or crack cocaine; and the impact of psychiatric diagnosis on outcome v
ariables. Method: Subjects participating in an outpatient intensive tr
eatment program underwent descriptive testing at entry and at six-mont
h followup. Outcome variables included Addiction Severity Index compos
ite scores and retention in treatment. Results: Subjects demonstrated
significant improvement in ASI scales, over time, with an interaction
effect of time and scale. Minimal interaction of psychiatric diagnosis
and outcome was found. Conclusion: Outpatient intensive treatment dem
onstrated efficacy in reduction of ASI composite scores. Comparison wi
th standard outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment is needed.