Brief motivational feedback improves post-incarceration treatment contact among veterans with substance use disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of providing brief motivational feedback to increase post-incarceration substance use disorders (SUD) treatment contact.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial (feedback vs. control) with a 2-month post-incarceration follow-up.


METHODS
Veterans (N = 73) incarcerated in a county jail system who met SUD diagnostic criteria.


METHODS
Baseline assessment included the Addiction Severity Index, the Form-90 assessment of recent alcohol use, and a DSM-IV SUD criteria checklist. The primary outcome was Veterans Administration (VA) appointments. Secondary outcomes were the Addiction Severity Index-Followup and the Treatment Services Review.


METHODS
All participants received baseline assessment. The feedback condition received personalized feedback and encouragement to explore ambivalence about change and treatment in a single interview.


RESULTS
Participants receiving feedback were more likely to schedule appointments at a VA addictions clinic within 60 days of their jail release dates (67 vs. 41%; P < 0.03). Though differences were not statistically significant, more feedback participants attended addictions clinic appointments (47 vs. 32%; ns) and were retained in addictions treatment at 90 days (31 vs. 14%; P < 0.08). Treatment appointments were more likely when intervention occurred close to release. Loss of participants to post-release follow-up interviews was >50%, limiting power to detect significant differences by self-report.


CONCLUSIONS
Brief motivational feedback shows promise as a way to link incarcerated individuals to SUD treatment services.
Davis
Tania M
TM
Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. tania.davis@med.va.gov
Baer
John S
JS
Saxon
Andrew J
AJ
Kivlahan
Daniel R
DR
D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*