Characteristics of an Outpatient Treatment Sample by Primary Substance of Abuse

Abstract

Objective The current study examines sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as a function of primary substance of abuse, among clients approached, screened, and assessed for eligibility in a 10-site effectiveness trial of a web-based psychosocial intervention for substance use disorders. Consistent with the design of effectiveness trials, eligibility criteria were broad and exclusion criteria minimal; thus, the recruited sample may be viewed as relatively representative of patients seeking treatment throughout the United States. Methods Chi-square tests for categorical variables and F-tests for continuous variables were used to analyze demographic, substance use, physical and mental health, and sexual risk data collected at screening and baseline; pairwise comparisons between primary substance subgroups for baseline data were conducted if the test statistic p-value was ≤ .01. Results Few participants expressed disinterest in the study at screening due to the computer-assisted intervention. A diverse sample of substance users completed baseline and were enrolled: 22.9% marijuana; 21.7% opiates; 20.9% alcohol; 20.5% cocaine; and 13.9% stimulants. Marijuana users demonstrated the greatest differences across primary substances: they were younger, less likely to be married or attend 12-step meetings, and more likely to be in treatment as a result of criminal justice involvement. All patients, even marijuana users, reported comparable rates of co-occurring mental health disorders and sexual risk, as well as substantial rates of polysubstance use disorders. Conclusion Primary substance of abuse may be a less important indicator of overall severity compared to co-occurring disorders and other factors common across treatment seekers, further demonstrating the need for integrated treatment services and care, as well as comprehensive pre-treatment assessment.

Internet-Delivered Treatment for Substance Abuse: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This raises questions about generalizability in terms of whether the un-enrolled patients might have responded differently to the intervention. Prior analysis of the screening data (39) showed that un-enrolled patients reported more drug use compared to their enrolled counterparts. The greater relative benefit of the Therapeutic Education System among patients not abstinent at the point of baseline/study entry (associated with more drug use), suggests those not enrolled might have benefited.…”

Gender-based Outcomes and Acceptability of a Computer-assisted Psychosocial Intervention for Substance Use Disorders

“…Among those screened for the study (N=1,781), there was no difference in the percentage of women who were ineligible (n=850; 35.4% women), those who were eligible but did not enroll (n=424; 39.9% women), and those included in the enrolled sample (n=507; 37.9% women) (Campbell et al, 2013). Thus, women, once screened, were just as likely to be eligible and decide to enroll in the study.…”

The use of Technology in Participant Tracking and Study Retention: Lessons Learned from a Clinical Trials Network Study

“…18,19 The WEB-TX study sites were selected in order to obtain a broad range of geographic, racial and ethnic diversity and the overall sample was 38% female, 53% White, 22% African American, 11% Hispanic/Latino, and 14% multiracial/other. The mean age was 35 years (SD=10.9), 41% were employed, and 35% indicated that their treatment entry was mandated by the criminal justice system.…”

“…19 A total of 21 research staff members completed this pre-interview questionnaire, with all but two sites completing the questionnaire responses as a team. Respondents included two Site Principal Investigators (PI), one Co-PI, nine Research Coordinators, two Project Managers, six Research Assistants (RAs), and one Quality Assurance Monitor.…”