The Readmitted Drug Patient: Evidence of Failure or Gradual Success?

A comparison was made of the drug-involvement levels and sociocriminal histories at the time of first admission and at readmission of 94 male drug addicts who had initially undergone detoxification and 24 others who had undergone detoxification plus rehabilitation. Results showed only minimal change in the amount and number of drugs used at each admission. However, the period of drug use before seeking help was shorter, there were fewer criminal charges, and more patients were employed at the time of readmission in both groups, especially the rehabilitation group. The authors suggest that treatment is somewhat effective even for the readdicted patient and that readmission to drug treatment is evidence of continued gradual treatment progress rather than of failure.