Client outcomes from rural substance abuse treatment.
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.
Hiller
Matthew L
ML
Temple University, Department of Criminal Justice, Philadelphia, PA, USA. mhiller@temple.edu
Leukefeld
Carl G
CG
Garrity
Thomas F
TF
Godlaski
Theodore
T
Schoeneberger
Marlies
M
Townsend
Michael
M
Hascal
Karyn
K
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