PREDICTORS OF DROPOUT FROM PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT OF COCAINE DEPENDENCE

The current study assessed demographic, drug and psychiatric predictor s of dropout in the pilot/training phase of a large, multi-site psycho therapy outcome study for patients with cocaine dependence. The differ ent predictors of dropout were assessed throughout the phases of the s tudy: screening, intake, stabilization and assessment phase, and follo wing randomization to treatment. Results showed that (1) younger patie nts were less likely to keep their intake appointment. (2) Of the pati ents who had an intake visit, those who did not complete high school a nd with more days of cocaine use in the previous month were less likel y to complete an initial stabilization and assessment phase requiring 1 week of abstinence from all drugs. A survival analysis was used to e xamine time to dropout for the 286 patients randomized to individual t reatment. (3) Again, younger age was associated with dropout after ran domization. (4) Drug use variables did not predict time to dropout. (5 ) Presence of any current Axis I disorder was associated with later dr opout from treatment. Minority treatment information seekers and treat ment initiators were less likely to go on to complete the full treatme nt program. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.