Gender differences in hostility of opioid-dependent outpatients: role in early treatment termination

The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender differences in hostility a nd the role of hostility in predicting early treatment termination of opioi d-dependent outpatients. Demographic characteristics and Addiction Severity Index (ASI) ratings were collected from 104 patients (68 males and 36 fema les) at intake to a buprenorphine treatment program. Hostility was assessed using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Scale. Compared to male opioid-dependent p atients, females scored significantly higher on this scale. Early treatment termination was defined as remaining in treatment <30 days, and 13% percen t of males and 25% of females were classified as early terminators. Stepwis e logistic regression identified predictors of early treatment termination. Severity of legal and employment problems and the interaction between host ility and gender predicted early treatment termination status. Patients wit h less severe legal problems and patients with greater employment problems were more likely to terminate early from treatment. Higher levels of hostil ity predicted early treatment termination of female patients, but hostility levels were not associated with treatment termination in male patients. Re sults from this study show that female heroin addicts have high levels of h ostility and suggest that hostility may be an important predictor of premat ure discharge from opioid substitution programs, especially among women. (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.