title: Gender differences in detoxification: predictors of completion and re-admission.
abstract: This study examined the medical records of 2595 consecutive admissions over a 3-year period to an inpatient mixed-gender, hospital-based alcohol and drug detoxification unit. Women reported a significantly different pattern of primary drug use, a younger age, a different pattern of referral sources, and higher rates of parenting status and unemployment. In addition, females were administered prescription medication and medical evaluation tests at a significantly higher rate than males. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that an opiate as a primary drug of choice was a significant risk factor for dropout. Risk factors for re-admission to inpatient detoxification included: alcohol as a primary drug of choice, residential instability, multiple drug use, single marital status, unemployment, an older age (> 37 years), and treatment dropout at Time 1 in the study. For both the final prediction models, gender was not a significant factor. The treatment implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 2S1. Russell_Callaghan@camh.net
authors.forename: Russell C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Callaghan
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D002170:Canada; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000628:therapy