A National Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes for Cocaine Dependence

Relapse to weekly cocaine use in the first year after discharge from 3 major treatment modalities was examined and patients with the most severe problems were more likely to enter long-term residential programs, and better outcomes were reported by those treated 90 days or longer.

Abstract

Patients with the most severe problems were more likely to enter long-term residential programs, and better outcomes were reported by those treated 90 days or longer. Dimensions of psychosocial problem severity and length of stay are, therefore, important considerations in the treatment of cocaine dependence. Cocaine relapse rates for patients with few problems at program intake were most favorable across all treatment conditions, but better outcomes for patients with medium- to high-level problems were dependent on longer treatment stays.