title: Gender differences in treatment retention among individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A significant number of individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders do not engage, stay, and/or complete residential treatment. Although prior research indicates that women and men differ in their substance abuse treatment experiences, our knowledge of individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders as well as those attending private residential treatment is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to examine gender differences on treatment retention for individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders who participate in private residential treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were 1,317 individuals (539 women and 778 men) with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders receiving treatment at three private residential treatment centers. Bivariate analyses, life tables, and Cox regression (survival analyses) were utilized to examine gender effects on treatment retention, and identify factors that predict treatment retention for men and women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study found that women with co-occurring disorders were more likely to stay longer in treatment when compared to men. The findings indicate the factors influencing length of stay differ for each gender, and include: type of substance used prior to admission; Addiction Severity Index Composite scores; and Readiness to Change/URICA scores. Age at admission was a factor for men only. CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: These findings can be incorporated to develop and initiate program interventions to minimize early attrition and increase overall retention in private residential treatment for individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Social Work, University of Tennessee-Knoxville , Nashville, Tennessee , USA.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Susie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Siobhan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacMaster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: co-occurring disorders; dual diagnosis; gender differences; predictors; residential treatment; retention; substance abuse and mental health disorder