title: Preferences for Aftercare Among Persons Seeking Short-Term Opioid Detoxification.
abstract: Without aftercare treatment, the period following discharge from short-term inpatient detoxification for opioid dependence presents a high risk of relapse. Yet the role of patient preference in treatment selection is rarely discussed in the substance-abuse literature. We surveyed 485 persons initiating inpatient opioid detoxification who were predominantly male (71.3%) and had detoxed in the past (73.2%). When asked to choose the one treatment that would work best for them after discharge, 43% of participants selected medication-assisted treatment (MAT), 29% preferred residential, 12% selected drug-free counseling, 12% NA/AA meetings only, and 4% preferred no additional treatment. Residential treatment preference was significantly associated with homelessness, having been in a detox program within the past year, and having pending legal problems, indicating that there is a distinct profile of detox patients who prefer residential treatment despite its limited availability. Detox program staff should work with patients to understand reasons for treatment preferences to optimize aftercare services.
authors.affiliation: General Medicine Research Unit, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, 02906; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912. Electronic address: Michael_Stein@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: General Medicine Research Unit, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, 02906.
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912; Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Inc., Fall River, Massachusetts, 02720.
authors.forename: Genie L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Aftercare; Detoxification; Opioid; Residential treatment