In 1994, the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) initiated two treatment demonstration programs, the Residential Women and Children and the Pregnant and Postpartum Women Programs (RWC/PPW). These programs support 50 projects offering comprehensive, long-term (6- to 12-month) residential treatment for pregnant and parenting women with substance abuse problems, together with their infants and young children. This paper presents findings obtained in a longitudinal cross-site study of over 1,700 former RWC/PPW clients. It expands upon preliminary outcome findings that are strongly positive, indicating that a majority of program clients were successful in maintaining complete abstinence from alcohol and drugs for several months after leaving the program. The paper contrasts three client groups based on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use during the 6 months following discharge from residential treatment: clients who were AOD free throughout this period (successful); clients who relapsed but later returned to AOD free status during the 30 days prior to a 6-month post-discharge follow-up (partly successful); and clients who reported AOD use during the 30 days prior to follow-up (unsuccessful). The paper examines the extent to which treatment success is affected by client characteristics at intake, by services received during treatment, by post-treatment aftercare and support services, and by client success in resolving underlying life problems that contribute to substance abuse (unemployment, mental illness, abuse victimization, homelessness, etc.).
Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will obtain information about the latest substance abuse treatment research being conducted on special populations (specifically, pregnant and parenting women) by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.