PARTICIPATION OF SIGNIFICANT OTHERS IN OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT PREDICTS GREATER COCAINE ABSTINENCE

The present study was conducted to identify predictors of cocaine abst inence during outpatient behavioral treatment for cocaine dependence. Subjects were 52 cocaine-dependent adults. Stepwise logistic regressio n was used to identify predictors of abstinence during a 12-week treat ment program. Demographic, drug use, and other subject characteristics were examined. The single best predictor of cocaine abstinence was wh ether a significant other participated in treatment. The odds of achie ving a criterion level of cocaine abstinence were approximately 20 tim es greater for subjects who had a significant other participate in tre atment. Importantly, significant others participated in a structured f orm of relationship counseling and behavioral contracting that is well specified and can be readily tested in a prospective, randomized tria l. Considering the pressing need for the development of effective trea tments for cocaine dependence, such a trial merits consideration.