PREDICTORS OF OUTCOME IN DRUG-TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENT INPATIENTS

Little is known about for whom treatment is most effective and how to match adolescent clients to substance-abuse treatments. 280 adolescent s treated in a multifaceted program participated. Of these, 128 did no t complete treatment prior to termination of the 2-mo. inpatient phase . They were significantly different from clients who completed treatme nt measures of alienation. social maladaptation, aggression, and lower occupational status of the father. Of those who completed inpatient t reatment and remained in the study at 1-mo. postdischarge (n = 69) two groups were formed, those who improved and those who either remained the same or worsened in terms of substance abuse. For those who improv ed factors which differentiated them were identification with middle-c lass values, tendency to be older, initial difficulty identifying emot ions, and depressive symptoms at intake. Clients who did no: change or worsened were distinguished by more social anxiety, depressive sympto ms, and troubling thoughts at intake. These results suggest that indiv idual characteristics may identify cases who are more likely to benefi t from treatment.