A study of risk factors in dropping out from inpatient treatment of substance abuse

The purpose of the study was to identify risk factors in dropping out from inpatient treatment of substance abuse. Such information is needed in order to focus interventions aimed at improving the continuity of treatment. The subjects (n=114) were clients of a Finnish treatment institution. The results indicated that significant risk factors for dropping out were the age of the subject, contemplation of change and attitude toward Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Continuity of treatment improved with age, and also with improved contemplation. Subjects with an extremely positive attitude toward AA NA dropped out infrequently. Younger clients were more positively disposed to AA NA than were older patients. The findings suggest that interventions to prevent dropping out should be aimed at younger clients who are not positively disposed to AA NA and, on the other hand, at older clients with an inadequate contemplation of change.