Case Management for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors With Alcohol Problems

Objective: To evaluate a community-based approach to substance abuse using comprehensive case management for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Setting: Two programs that provide case management services ( n = 217); a comparison group was recruited that did not receive case management ( n = 102). Intervention: Comprehensive case management. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported substance use, community integration, employment status, health-related quality of life. Results: For those receiving case management, employment at recruitment and early referral were associated with employment 9 months later. Community integration and physical well-being increased for both groups. Earlier program referral was associated with larger gains in physical well-being, employment, and community integration. Conclusions: Case management appears to have beneficial effects for adults with TBI and substance abuse problems in terms of life and family satisfaction as well as to have potential cost savings.