Predicting posttreatment cocaine abstinence for first-time admissions and treatment repeaters

Objectives. This study examined client and program characteristics that pre dict posttreatment cocaine abstinence among cocaine abusers with different treatment histories. Methods. Cocaine abusers (n = 507) treated in 18 residential programs were interviewed at intake and 1-year follow-up as part of the nationwide Drug A buse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS) Program directors provided the program -level data in a mail survey. We applied the hierarchical linear modeling a pproach for the analysis. Results. No prior treatment and longer retention in DATOS programs were pos itive predictors of posttreatment abstinence. The interactive effect of the se 2 variables was also significantly positive. Programs that offered legal services and included recovering staff increased their clients' likelihood of cocaine abstinence. Crack use at both the client and program level pred icted negative impact. None of the program variables assessed differentiall y affected the outcomes of first-timers and repeaters. Conclusions. Although treatment repeaters were relatively difficult to trea t, their likelihood of achieving abstinence was similar to that of first-ti mers if they were retained in treatment for a sufficient time. First-timers and repeaters responded similarly to the treatment program characteristics examined. The treatment and policy implications of these findings are disc ussed.