DRUG-TREATMENT PROCESS INDICATORS FOR PROBATIONERS AND PREDICTION OF RECIDIVISM

Research has shown that substance abuse treatment is associated with r educed criminal activity as well as reduced drug nse. An increasingly important aspect of treatment evaluation, however, is understanding mo re about the therapeutic process involved Based on a sample of 279 pro bationers assigned to residential treatment for drug use problems, the purpose of this study is to examine several elements of treatment pro cess and how they influence recidivism. Rearrest rare during a 2-year follow-up study period was 36%, and survival analysis showed it was di rectly related to poorer during-treatment ratings by probationers of s elf-esteem, counselor competence, and peer support from others in the treatment program, These were better predictor measures than backgroun d and demographic characteristics generally used in other studies, sug gesting the role of therapeutic engagement in the recovery process. Co pyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.