title: Reducing waiting time for substance abuse treatment does not reduce attrition.
abstract: Attrition rates from substance abuse treatment are high. In an attempt to cut down on the attrition rate in our clinic we instituted an "Orientation Group" to cut down on the time patients spent waiting to enter treatment. An evaluation of the results of this intervention reveals that contrary to the impressions of the clinical staff, the attrition rate was not reduced.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Alterman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bedrick
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howden
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maany
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003042:Cocaine; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014850:Waiting Lists
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine