INFLUENCE OF OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AND 12-STEP GROUP INVOLVEMENT ON ONE-YEAR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT OUTCOMES

Objective: This study examined whether substance abuse patients self-s electing into one of three aftercare groups (outpatient treatment only , 12-step groups only, and outpatient treatment and 12-step groups) an d patients who did not participate in aftercare differed on 1-year sub stance use and psychosocial outcomes. Method: A total of 3,018 male pa tients filled out a questionnaire at intake and 1 year following disch arge from treatment. Patients were classified into aftercare groups at follow-up using information from VA databases and self-reports. Resul ts: Patients who participated in both outpatient treatment and 12-step groups fared the best on 1-year outcomes. Patients who did nor obtain aftercare had the poorest outcomes. In terms of the amount of interve ntion received, patients who had more outpatient mental health treatme nt, who more frequently attended 12-step groups or were more involved in 12-step activities had better 1-year outcomes. In addition, patient s who kept regular outpatient appointments over a longer time period f ared better than those who did not. Conclusions: Encouraging substance abuse patients to regularly attend both outpatient aftercare and self -help groups may improve long-term outcomes.