THERAPIST-PATIENT MATCHING AND EARLY TREATMENT DROPOUT

This study of intake procedures was initiated with a view towards redu cing the early dropout rate of substance abusers. Eight different ther apists conducted intake interviews of 634 cocaine dependent, first adm issions to an outpatient cocaine treatment program. No significant dif ferences in return rate were found across either the eight therapists or their level of academic training. We found that matching therapists and patients with respect to gender and race for the intake interview did not increase the proportion of patients returning for a second vi sit, In addition, the hypothesis that providing a sense of continuity by having the therapist who conducted the intake interview become the treatment therapist did not result in a higher return rate than if the patient was assigned to a different treatment therapist. Although the results do not indicate methods of further reducing early treatment d ropouts they are helpful in reducing concerns about who conducts intak e interviews and how patients are assigned.