Matching clients' needs with drug treatment services

This paper reports results of a study that investigated whether matching dr ug treatment ser vices with client needs improved outcomes for a sample of 171 clients who participated in community-based drug treatment programs. Cl ients were initially assessed on multiple problem areas (alcohol use, drug use, medical, psychological, family/social, legal, employment, housing) and on areas of special needs or stated preferences for services (e.g., transp ortation, child care, language). A 6-month follow-up interview reassessed c lients' problems/needs in all areas and collected information on the servic es received. The results showed that some services significantly improved c lient outcome for those who had expressed needs for such services. Notably, services meeting the need for vocational training, child care, transportat ion, and housing showed beneficial effects. A higher level of needs and ser vices matching (defined either by the ratio of services received to service s desired, or by the total level of met versus unmet needs in the eight pro blem areas) significantly predicted longer treatment retention. (C) 1999 El sevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.