title: Participation of significant others in outpatient behavioral treatment predicts greater cocaine abstinence.
abstract: The present study was conducted to identify predictors of cocaine abstinence during outpatient behavioral treatment for cocaine dependence. Subjects were 52 cocaine-dependent adults. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify predictors of abstinence during a 12-week treatment program. Demographic, drug use, and other subject characteristics were examined. The single best predictor of cocaine abstinence was whether a significant other participated in treatment. The odds of achieving a criterion level of cocaine abstinence were approximately 20 times greater for subjects who had a significant other participate in treatment. Importantly, significant others participated in a structured form of relationship counseling and behavioral contracting that is well specified and can be readily tested in a prospective, randomized trial. Considering the pressing need for the development of effective treatments for cocaine dependence, such a trial merits consideration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Budney
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Bickel
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Badger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003042:Cocaine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine