A 12-year follow-up of a treated cocaine-dependent sample.
The study examined long-term outcomes (mortality, substance use, mental health, employment, criminal involvement) among a cocaine-dependent sample. This 12-year follow-up study, conducted in 2002-2003, updates information obtained at intake and two face-to-face interviews conducted in 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 among 321 male cocaine-dependent veterans admitted to drug treatment in 1988-1989. At the 2002-2003 follow-up, 28 had died and 266 were interviewed. A mixed model examining the longitudinal relationships demonstrated that treatment was associated with lower levels of cocaine use over the 12-year follow-up period after entry into the index treatment and more stable recovery (i.e., continuously abstinent from cocaine for at least 5 years). Few measures at intake predicted stable recovery at follow-up: only being White (vs. being African American) and having greater confidence in ability to avoid cocaine use in high-risk situations. Individuals achieving stable recovery reported less psychiatric symptoms, criminal involvement, and unemployment during the year prior to the interview. Adverse outcomes were apparent for a significant number of cocaine-dependent users who continued to use cocaine for a long period.
Hser
Yih-Ing
YI
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. yhser@ucla.edu
Stark
Maria Elena
ME
Paredes
Alfonso
A
Huang
David
D
Anglin
M Douglas
MD
Rawson
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000652:urine; D003415:Crime; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004651:Employment; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014728:Veterans