Ivers, Jo-Hanna and Zgaga, Lina and Sweeney, Brion and Keenan, Eamon and Darker, Catherine and Smyth, Bobby P and Barry, Joe (2018) A naturalistic longitudinal analysis of post-detoxification outcomes in opioid-dependent patients. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (S1), S339-S347. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12597.
Introduction and aims: To provide an assessment of outcomes in a cohort of opioid-dependent patients post-detoxification.
Design and methods: This study employed an observational longitudinal cohort design. Patients who completed detoxification in the three major Drug Dependency Units in Ireland during a 14-month period were included in the study (n = 143). Patients opting for one of the three pathways post-detoxification (inpatient aftercare, outpatient aftercare or no formal aftercare) were assessed in the final week of detoxification and followed up after 3, 6 and 9 months. The primary outcome was abstinence following detoxification.
Results: A Cox (adjusted) model indicated participants who opted for outpatient aftercare treatment lapsed/relapsed at a rate of 52% higher than the inpatient aftercare group (hazard ratio = 1.52, 95% confidence interval 0.75-3.08, P = 0.24). Moreover, time to lapse/relapse was considerably shorter for the no formal aftercare group (hazard ratio = 7.68, 95% confidence interval 4.30-13.73, P = 5.75 × 10(-12) ). Abstinence rates for outpatient aftercare and inpatient aftercare are about equal after 9 months.
Discussion and conclusion: Patients who opt for aftercare post-detoxification have significantly better outcomes at follow up when compared to no formal aftercare. In addition, patients' intention to attend aftercare affected their outcomes regardless of eventual treatment path.
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method > Detoxification
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Treatment outcome
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Patient / client care management
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Treatment and maintenance > Treatment factors
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Treatment and maintenance > Patient / client attitude toward treatment (experience)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Residential facility
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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