MOTIVATION AS A PREDICTOR OF EARLY DROPOUT FROM DRUG-ABUSE TREATMENT

Measures of motivation for drug use change and treatment were examined with respect to psychometric properties and prediction of early dropouts from methadone maintenance (MM). Three scales were used to obtain personal assessments of: Drug Use Problems, Desire for Help, and Treatment Readiness. Each was composed of 7 to 9 items. Data were collected at intake from 311 MM clients admitted to three separate outpatient treatment agencies, of which 24% dropped out of treatment within 60 days. The scales were found to be reliable, and evidence of validity was based on comparisons with other background and pretreatment functioning measures. Social stability (marital status, employment, and fewer prior arrests), previous treatment experience, expectations for reducing future drug use, higher methadone dose level, and higher motivation (Desire for Help) were identified as significant predictors of treatment retention beyond 60 days.