The impact of women's family status on completion of substance abuse treatment

This study examines the role of family status and demographic characteristi cs in explaining the nearly 60% dropout rate for women in substance abuse t reatment. Data from the administrative record files of the Illinois Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASA) for the fiscal rear 1996-97 were a nalyzed for women age 12 or older who completed intake for publicly funded substance abuse treatment and whose outpatient treatment records were close d at year-end. Multivariate logistic regression models found that the likel ihood of not completing treatment was greatest for women who were African A merican pregnant, had custody of minor children, or were younger than age 2 1. However African American women who had children in foster care were more likely to complete treatment. Implications for treatment and research are discussed.