Followup Study of Narcotic Drug Addicts Five Years after Hospitalization

A sample of 453 patients selected from 1,359 discharged from the Public Health Service Hospital at Lexington, Ky., between July 1952 and December 1955 were followed for 5 years. Although more than 97 percent became readdicted during the 5 years, by the fifth year after discharge, only an estimated 46 percent were readdicted, and 49 percent were abstinent, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Dischargees over 30 years of age showed a significantly higher rate of voluntary abstinence than their younger counterparts; they also showed a significantly greater ability to remain drug free. Addiction status fluctuated, but, in general, abstinence increased with the passage of time and readdiction rates decreased. An estimated 40 percent of the sample were voluntarily abstinent at some time during the study period. About 41 percent returned to the Public Health Service Hospitals at Lexington and Fort Worth, Tex., during the 5 years. Social data collected during the followup period revealed that approximately 70 percent of the group had one or more arrests, that those under 30 had higher arrest rates than those over 30, and that two-thirds of all arrests were narcotics violations. Five years after discharge, 41 percent were unemployed. Among those with at least one period of voluntary abstinence, however, 59 percent were employed full time. Few patients received psychiatric aftercare during the followup period. The high relapse, arrest, and unemployment rates of the treated drug addict support the views of those who advocate that systematic community aftercare be provided for such persons.