MOTIVATION AS A PREDICTOR OF EARLY DROPOUT FROM DRUG-ABUSE TREATMENT

Measures of motivation for drug use change and treatment were examined with respect to psychometric properties and prediction of early dropo uts from methadone maintenance (MM). Three scales were used to obtain personal assessments of: Drug Use Problems, Desire for Help, and Treat ment Readiness. Each was composed of 7 to 9 items. Data were collected at intake from 311 MM clients admitted to three separate outpatient t reatment agencies, of which 24% dropped out of treatment within 60 day s. The scales were found to be reliable, and evidence of validity was based on comparisons with other background and pretreatment functionin g measures. Social stability (marital status, employment, and fewer pr ior arrests), previous treatment experience, expectations for reducing future drug use, higher methadone dose level, and higher motivation ( Desire for Help) were identified as significant predictors of treatmen t retention beyond 60 days.