title: Relationship between time spent in treatment and client outcomes from therapeutic communities.
abstract: Research found that therapeutic communities and other types of residential programs are effective in reducing drug use, unemployment, and criminal behavior and that length of time spent in treatment is an important predictor of client outcomes from programs. Studies vary considerably, however, in terms of the amount of time they found clients need to stay in treatment to produce those outcomes. Data collected for the Treatment Outcome Prospective Study (TOPS) were analyzed to explore the relationship between time spent in treatment and client outcomes from therapeutic communities and other types of residential drug treatment programs. The analysis took into account client characteristics and whether clients received drug treatment during the follow-up year. The results indicate there is a stronger relationship between time spent in treatment and client outcomes from therapeutic communities than was suggested in earlier analysis of TOPS data.
authors.affiliation: Center for Social Research and Policy Analysis, Research Triangle Institute, NC 27709-2194.
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Condelli
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hubbard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs