SELF-HELP ACTIVITIES IN COCAINE-DEPENDENT PATIENTS ENTERING TREATMENT- RESULTS FROM THE NIDA COLLABORATIVE COCAINE TREATMENT STUDY

Although little is known about self-help attendance among cocaine depe ndent patients, clinicians frequently recommend this treatment. Cocain e dependent patients (519) entering a psychotherapy study were therefo re surveyed regarding their recent self-help group attendance and part icipation. During the previous week, 34% had attended a self-help grou p. Of self-help attenders who actively participated, 55% initiated abs tinence within the next month, compared with 40% of non-attenders and 38% of non-participating attenders (P < 0.01). These findings support the potential short-term positive prognostic significance of self-help attendance and participation in cocaine dependent patients.