Factors associated with drug treatment dropout among injection drug users in Puerto Rico

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 397 - 402
• Main Authors: Marrero, C.Amalia, Robles, Rafaela R., Colón, Héctor M., Reyes, Juan C., Matos, Tomás D., Sahai, Hardeo, Calderón, José M., Shepard, Elizabeth W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2005; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Cocaine-Related Disorders - psychology; Cocaine-Related Disorders - rehabilitation; Drug abuse; Drug treatment dropout; Drug treatment services; Female; Heroin Dependence - psychology; Heroin Dependence - rehabilitation; Homeless Persons - psychology; Humans; Injecting drug use; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Patient Dropouts - psychology; Puerto Rico - epidemiology; Rural Health; SAT assessment; Socioeconomic Factors; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - psychology; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - rehabilitation; Puerto Rico; Drug treatment dropout; Injecting drug use; Drug treatment services
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.05.024

This study examined factors associated with drug treatment dropout among injection drug users (IDUs) in Puerto Rico, a group that has contributed significantly to the self-sustaining AIDS epidemic in the island since the mid-1980s. A total of 557 IDUs were recruited from communities in a semirural region of Puerto Rico, as part of a longitudinal study testing the efficacy of a two-facet intervention model, based on motivational interviewing. Of 124 IDUs who had entered drug treatment at follow-up, 33 (26.6%) dropped out before completing all recommended sessions. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, homelessness, and speedball use were significantly associated with drug treatment dropout. Conversely, participants who received the two-facet intervention were significantly less likely to drop out of drug treatment. Receiving psychiatric services also reduced the odds of treatment dropout. Improving adherence to drug treatment and reducing dropout rates are complex processes that need to be addressed at the individual behavioral and social support levels, as well as the program process and resource levels.