Abstinence at intake for marijuana dependence treatment predicts response

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2002 Aug 1;67(3):249-57. doi: 10.1016/s0376-8716(02)00079-0.

Abstract

Abstinence prior to entering treatment is common among individuals seeking substance abuse treatment. The current study examined the relationship between abstinence at a pretreatment intake assessment and treatment response during outpatient treatment for marijuana dependence. At the intake assessment, 142 marijuana-dependent individuals completed past 30 day calendars of daily drug use. Forty-four (31%) participants were pretreatment abstainers, as defined by reports of one or more consecutive days of marijuana abstinence prior to the day of the intake assessment. Non-abstainers (69%) reported marijuana use the day prior or the day of the assessment. Pretreatment abstainers were more likely to enter treatment (P < 0.05) and showed better treatment response than non-abstainers. Abstainers provided 50% more marijuana-negative urine screens during treatment (P < 0.05), and more than three times as many abstainers reported no marijuana use (P < 0.01). The groups did not differ on treatment completion. Marijuana abstinence at the time of initial clinic contact appears to be a strong predictor of success during treatment. Pretreatment abstinence may prove useful as a pretreatment matching strategy that could improve outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Clinical trials might consider including pretreatment abstinence status as a stratification variable during participant assignment or as a covariate in outcome analyses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / epidemiology
  • Marijuana Abuse / psychology*
  • Marijuana Abuse / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome