PATIENT FACTORS RELATED TO EARLY ATTRITION FROM AN OUTPATIENT COCAINERESEARCH CLINIC

The dropout rates among cocaine abusers in outpatient treatment progra ms have averaged 55%. We sought to find patient predictor variables as sociated with early attrition. Dropouts were more likely to be African -American or Hispanic-American, younger, with an earlier onset of subs tance abuse. Among minorities, those with more education were less lik ely to drop out. Patients who were less educated and smoked or injecte d cocaine were particularly prone to discontinue treatment prematurely . The implications of these findings, and promising interventions for reducing the dropout problem, are discussed.