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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Wilfred Labiosa, MA¹, Jamie Wyatt, MSW², Lena Lundgren, PhD², and Joya Lonsdale, BA². (1) Casa Esperanza, 232 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, 6175410717, wlabiosa@casaesperanza.org, (2) School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215

A main concern in the substance abuse treatment field is the high level of drop-out from treatment, especially from residential treatment. A large number of those who drop-out of treatment do so in the first weeks of entry. However, little is known about specific factors associated with remaining in substance abuse treatment past the first weeks of intake for Latina/o substance abusers. This presentation examines factors associated with remaining in treatment past the initial week of intake in a culturally specific and linguistically diverse residential drug treatment setting that addresses issues specific to the Latino community, including immigration status and separation from family and native culture. Data originate from a longitudinal study of residential treatment effectiveness on drug relapse and family stability among Latino(as). The study currently includes a sample of 45 women and 113 men. The total sample will be 100 women and 200 men. Initial findings suggest that 50% of the sample left the residential treatment facility in the first two weeks. Preliminary bi-variate and binomial logistic regression analyses suggest that there were no significant differences among women and men, age, housing status, or level of drug use. Future analyses will include a larger sample and consider the impact of psycho-social and cultural issues, mental health problems, custody of children, and mandated treatment on drop-out rates. Discharge data is also being analyzed to determine client defined reasons for departure and services received while in treatment.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Articulate factors associated with drop-out rates from a culturally focused residential drug treatment setting;
• Discuss the need for culturally and ethnically appropriate drug treatment services for the Latino population; and
• Apply findings from this study in advocating for increased access and appropriate changes in policy and practice options of drug treatment for the Latino population.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered