The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72527

Amelia M. Arria, PhD¹, Dawn B. Fitzelle, MSW¹, Kevin E. O'Grady, PhD², and Eric D. Wish, PhD¹. (1) Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), University of Maryland, College Park, 4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 501, College Park, MD 20740, 301-403-8329, aarria@cesar.umd.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 1147 Biology/Psychology Building, College Park, MD 20740

Cognitive impairment has been widely observed in alcoholic populations. Fewer studies have been conducted to examine the association between illicit drug use and various types of neuropsychological impairment (e.g., memory, attention). To our knowledge, the influence of cognitive impairment on substance abuse treatment progress or subsequent outcomes has not been examined. This study gathered data from 64 inmates (57 males and 7 females), with an average age of 35.3 years, who were attending a jail-based substance abuse treatment program. A comprehensive standardized battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to each inmate. In-treatment progress was assessed by multiple ratings of counselor notes. The estimated mean WAIS-R IQ of the sample was 88.5 (s.d.=12.2). Results indicated that impairments in memory were more common than deficits in attention, verbal fluency, or visual recognition. Over two-thirds of the sample were impaired on at least one test. Moreover, the association between various types of impairment and in-treatment progress was complex, and moderated by patterns of drug use. In conclusion, many drug treatment program curriculum materials rely heavily on written and verbal expression. If confirmed in larger investigations, the results of this study have important implications for screening, treatment matching and the re-design of drug treatment programs that can more effectively take into account the level of cognitive impairment among clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the potential association between cognitive impairment and drug treatment outcome
• Be able to articulate specific cognitive deficits that have been observed in drug treatment clients that potentially could impact upon treatment outcome

Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.