Cocaine withdrawal symptoms and initial urine toxicology results predict treatment attrition in outpatient cocaine dependence treatment

This study evaluated the ability of cocaine withdrawal symptoms, measured b y the Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA) and initial urine toxico logy results, to predict treatment attrition among 128 cocaine dependent ve terans participating in a 4-week day hospital treatment program. The CSSA w as administered and a urine toxicology screen was obtained at intake and at the start of the day hospital (about 1 week later). The combination of a p ositive urine toxicology screen and a high CSSA score at intake predicted f ailure to complete treatment. Urine toxicology results at the start of the day hospital, but not at intake, predicted failure to complete treatment. A mong participants without other psychiatric illness, high CSSA scores at in take, predicted failure to complete treatment. The presence of cocaine with drawal symptoms and a positive urine toxicology screen are clinically usefu l predictors of treatment attrition.