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.