Risk factors in dropping out from in-patient treatment of substance abuse
The purpose of the study was to identify risk factors in dropping out from in-patient treatment of substance abuse. Such information is needed in order to target 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 included the age of the subject, contemplation of change and attitude toward AA/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 clients. The findings suggest that interventions to prevent dropping out should be aimed on the one hand at younger clients who are not positively disposed to AA/NA and on the other at older clients with an inadequate contemplation of change.