Coercion and drug treatment for postpartum women

This research examined the extent to which various indicators of coercion w ere related to treatment retention in a gender-specific treatment program a nd a traditional outpatient program for pregnant and postpartum women who w ere mandated to enter treatment. Women who were given custody of their infa nt stayed in treatment longer than women who did not have custody. There wa s an interaction effect with women who had custody and were in the intensiv e day treatment program completing treatment at a much higher rate than tho se in the traditional program. Implications for social work professionals a nd policy makers are discussed.