title: Client outcomes from rural substance abuse treatment.
abstract: Several national evaluations have been conducted since the late 1960s that have assessed the effectiveness of publicly-funded substance abuse treatment in the United States. These studies, however, have focused principally on urban-based treatment programs, and it is unclear whether findings from urban programs can be replicated in outcome studies of programs in rural areas. The current study, therefore, examined the treatment outcomes of clients admitted to one of several short-term inpatient or outpatient drug-free treatment agencies in rural Kentucky. Findings showed that treatment was associated with reductions in drug use and criminality during a six-month follow-up interval. Employment status also improved significantly, and health services utilization was reduced. The similarity between the current findings and findings from national outcome studies of urban-based treatment programs is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Temple University, Department of Criminal Justice, Philadelphia, PA, USA. mhiller@temple.edu
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hiller
authors.forename: Carl G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Leukefeld
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Garrity
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Godlaski
authors.forename: Marlies
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schoeneberger
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: Karyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hascal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005380:Financing, Government; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome