The Recovery Attitude and Treatment Evaluator (RAATE) scale is a structured interview that assesses readiness for substance abuse treatment in five subscales : Resistance to Treatment (A), Resistance to Continuing Care (B), Biomedical Acuity (C), Psychological Acuity (D), Environmental/Social Problems (E). This study hypothesized that substance users with different psychological status who enter treatment would show differential RAATE mean scores. Methods : Patients (N=700) mostly entering public residential detoxification provided RAATE scores at baseline. Comparisons were conducted between drug users with (210 ; 30%) or without (490 ; 70%) dual-diagnosis, defined as showing DSM IV Axis I or II symptomatology plus at least one past psychiatric treatment or medication. Results : T-tests showed significant group differences for scales B (p=.003), C (p=.045), D (p<.001), E (p=.003) and total scale score (p<.001) but not for scale A (p>.05). Dually-diagnosed patients had lower scores on scale B and higher scores on scales C, D, E and total scale score. Gender was also significantly different (p<.001) between dually-diagnosed (50% female) and non dually-diagnosed (27% female) patients. Discussion : This large sample suggests that clinical approaches should take into account differential levels of motivation and treatment obstacles among drug users with different psychological status. Dually-diagnosed patients show, in addition to psychological obstacles, worse biomedical, social, and environmental obstacles to treatment, although lower resistance to continuing care, than non dually-diagnosed patients. Further analysis of outcomes will add an understanding of the impact of these factors, especially for women, on treatment experience.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will : 1. Become familiar with the Recovery Attitude and Treatment Evaluator (RAATE) scale which is designed to assess readiness for substance abuse treatment; 2. Be able to differentiate levels of motivation and treatment obstacles for substance abusers with or without comorbid psychiatric diagnosis; 3. Better understand implications for clinical care and resource management in treating addictions.
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Co-morbid
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.