The Analysis of Patient Status Following Substance Abuse Treatment and Utilization of Medical Care

• Main Author: Jones, French Allan
• Other Authors: Wilborn, Bobbie L.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 1988
• Subjects: inpatient treatment; substance abuse; substance abuse relapse; Substance abuse > Patients > Rehabilitation.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc331514/

Subjects were 2,950 patients who had previously received inpatient treatment for substance abuse at 40 treatment centers in 13 states and were followed up by the Chemical Abuse/Addiction Treatment Outcome Registry (CATOR) via telephone during the 2 years immediately following their treatment. All subjects were contacted every 6 months and asked a series of questions regarding their relapse status, medical utilization, illnesses, injuries, and arrests. Patient status was based on 3 categories: (1) abstinence from any abuse of a chemical, (2) brief relapse of less than 3 months abuse of any chemical, or (3) total relapse of longer than 3 months of any chemical. Findings showed that abstainers had fewer days in the hospital for emotional problems and detoxification. Abstainers also had fewer visits to the hospital for emergency reasons. Males in the brief relapse category had a greater number of injuries than abstainers or total relapsers. Regarding arrests and automobile accidents, no difference was discovered. However, regarding Drunk While Driving (DWI) arrests, abstainers had fewer arrests.