Outcomes for Substance User Treatment in Women: Results from the Baltimore Drug and Alcohol Treatment Outcomes Study

• Published in: Substance use & misuse Vol. 38; no. 11-13; pp. 1807 - 1829
• Main Authors: Johnson, Jeannette L., Wiechelt, Shelly A., Ahmed, Ashraf U., Schwartz, Robert P.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Informa UK Ltd 2003; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Addiction; Adult; Alcohol Abuse; Alcoholism - epidemiology; Alcoholism - rehabilitation; Baltimore; Baltimore - epidemiology; Baltimore, Maryland; Black or African American; Black People - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Effectiveness; Female; Females; Humans; Methadone vs. drug free treatment; Middle Aged; Opioid-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Opioid-Related Disorders - rehabilitation; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Outcomes; Patient Care Team - statistics & numerical data; Sex Factors; Substance Abuse; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - rehabilitation; Treatment; Treatment effectiveness; Treatment Outcomes; Treatment Programs; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; USA; White People - statistics & numerical data; Women; Baltimore
• ISSN: 1082-6084; 1532-2491
• DOI: 10.1081/JA-120024242

The Baltimore Drug and Alcohol Treatment Outcomes Study is a large study focusing on a single city. Over 1000 adult male and female substance users entering treatment in 16 publicly funded substance use treatment programs in the City of Baltimore between 1998 and 1999 were evaluated at four time periods (intake, 30 days after treatment, 6 month, and 12 month follow-ups). A comprehensive psychological battery was administered at each assessment interval. In this article, we report on the seven domains (alcohol, drug, medical, legal, employment, family, and psychological) of the addiction severity index (ASI) with the 459 women who participated in the study. Overall, statistically significant differences across time showed improvement as a result of substance user treatment were found in six of the seven ASI domains; no statistically significant effects for time were found for the medical composite scores. Drug and alcohol use among the participants was significantly reduced as early as 30 days after treatment. We discuss these findings in relation to the specific treatment needs of women who are addicted.