title: Evaluation of the effects of outreach to women with multiple vulnerabilities on entry into substance abuse treatment.
abstract: This paper examines ways in which the level of participation in intensive outreach contributes to entry into substance abuse treatment. It was hypothesized that the number of outreach contacts to substance abusing women predicts the likelihood of their entry into drug abuse treatment. As such women often have multiple vulnerabilities that impact upon their needs and readiness for seeking treatment, we also examine the relationships among readiness to seek assistance, the women's level of involvement with the outreach project, and admission to treatment. A sample of 665 women who participated in an enhanced outreach and treatment readiness preparation program was tracked to examine patterns of referral and entry into substance abuse treatment. The number of outreach contacts was inversely related to receiving referrals to substance abuse treatment, as well as to the completion of those referrals (for a subsample of 551 women who had received referrals). In addition, victims of domestic violence were 50% more likely to receive a referral to drug abuse treatment, but of the women who received such a referral, the lack of involvement in a violent relationship predicted entry into treatment. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for designing and implementing outreach and treatment programs for women with multiple therapeutic issues, particularly substance abuse and domestic violence.
authors.affiliation: The Measurement Group, 5811A Uplander Way, Culver City, CA 90230, USA.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Melchior
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Huba
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slaughter