Sense of coherence evaluated by treatment counsellors and substance abusers as an indication of length of stay

Investigations done before substance abusers start resident treatment should indicate whether the stay will benefit the client in his assumed aim to curb his abuse. A global test of sense of coherence (SOC) was used on 60 substance abusers entering residential care in Norway. The test was also given to their treatment counsellor in the Ist week of treatment in order to compare the views of the abuser with that assumed as his by the counsellors. At follow-up of completion 1 year after, the results of the tests at entry indicated that the counsellors had suggested higher (healthier) values for the clients who turned out to have a longer stay. There was no such relationship with the answers given by the clients. The attitude of the client at the time of entry may have influenced the judgment of the counsellor. A 1-year observation period may have been too long to accurately predict from the SOC test alone who would stay.