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Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs: Predictors of Treatment Effectiveness

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Abstract

Although there is extensive literature on the processes and outcomes of drug and alcohol dependence treatments, little is known about specific predictors of treatment effectiveness. The present study aims to identify the predictors of abstinence in outpatient drug and alcohol dependence treatments, as well as the predictors of treatment effectiveness, according to a biopsychosocial approach. The study followed a cross-sectional research design. Participants (n = 290) were recruited from an outpatient treatment of the Intervention Division in Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (DICAD), in the northern region of Portugal. A convenience sample was used. Data was collected using questionnaires administered at the facilities of the DICAD, in a private, quiet room. Results indicate that predictors of abstinence were involvement in treatment, psychopathology symptoms, and treatment program (i.e., outpatient drug vs alcohol dependence treatments). The full model of logistic regression analysis was significantly reliable (χ2(3) = 33.93, p < 0.001), with 72.5% successfully predicted for the non-substance abuse group and a 53.1% accurate prediction rate for the substance abuse group. The predictors of treatment effectiveness, according to a biopsychosocial approach, were social support and the treatment program. The full model was significantly reliable (χ2(2) = 68.28, p < 0.001), with 33.0% successfully predicted for the treatment effectiveness group and a 91.1% accurate prediction rate for the non-treatment effectiveness group. Results suggest that interventions need to focus not only on reducing substance abuse, but also on decreasing psychopathology and promoting therapeutic involvement, acting as predictors of abstinence. Furthermore, interventions must focus on promoting social support and the treatment program, acting as predictors of treatment effectiveness, according to a biopsychosocial approach.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express their appreciation to all participants and staff of the Intervention Division in Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (DICAD), Northern Regional Section, Institute of Drugs and Drug Addiction, Portugal. The authors also wish to express a special acknowledgement to Integrated Response Centers, West Porto, Portugal. Interpretations and conclusions, however, are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and DICAD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HEI-Lab: Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab, Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport, University of Lusófona, Rua Augosto Rosa, 24, 4000-098, Porto, Portugal

    Andreia P. de Moura & Inês Jongenelen

  2. Department of Mathematics (DM.UTAD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal

    Hélder Fernando Pedrosa e Sousa

  3. UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal

    Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis

  4. Faculty of Psychology, Lusíada University of Porto, Rua Dr. Lopo de Carvalho, 4369-006, Porto, Portugal

    Lígia L. Ferros

  5. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal

    Jorge Negreiros

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  1. Andreia P. de Moura
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Correspondence to Andreia P. de Moura.

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The authors Andreia de Moura, Hélder Fernando Pedrosa e Sousa, Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis, Lígia Ferros, Inês Jongenelen e Jorge Negreiros report no conflicts of interest to disclose. The first author, Andreia de Moura, has worked as a PhD student and has received a research grant by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) SFRH/BD/67113/2009.

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All procedures followed the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all patients in order to participate in the study.

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de Moura, A.P., e Sousa, H.F.P., Dinis, M.A.P. et al. Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs: Predictors of Treatment Effectiveness. Int J Ment Health Addiction 19, 1452–1467 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00235-x

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