READING-ABILITY IN PATIENTS IN SUBSTANCE MISUSE TREATMENT CENTERS

Adult inpatients in state-supported (public) and private substance mis use treatment settings were tested for reading ability. Patient educat ion materials and consent forms were assessed for readability levels. Public patients' mean reading levels were significantly lower than tho se of private patients, and were 4 to 5 years below the level needed t o read and understand standard treatment materials. More than half of the public and almost one-third of the private patients tested were re ading below a 9th grade level. Standard treatment materials were writt en on 11th to 12th grade reading levels; admission and consent forms w ere written on 12th to 18th grade levels. Patients in substance misuse settings should be tested for literacy levels upon admission and prov ided with materials commensurate with their reading ability.