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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Edward M. Castillo, PhD, MPH¹, Gary M. Vilke, MD², Theodore C. Chan, MD², Kanako N. Sturgis, MPH¹, Suzanne P. Lindsay, PhD, MSW, MPH¹, and James V. Dunford, MD². (1) Institute for Public Health, San Diego State University, 6505 Alvarado Road, Suite 211, San Diego, CA 92120, 619-594-2082, ecastillo@projects.sdsu.edu, (2) Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, Mailcode 8676, San Diego, CA 92103

Purpose: The Serial Inebriate Program, which employs a police presence as the cornerstone of its case management strategy, has been successful in getting difficult to enroll chronic inebriates into treatment. The purpose for this study was to identify factors associated with accepting and staying in treatment.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 280 individuals identified as chronic inebriates from January 2000 to December 2003 who were offered treatment in court. Demographic and arrest information, recovery program data and emergency service utilization records were abstracted from police and service provider records. Descriptive statistics and multivariate methodologies were utilized to identify factors associated with accepting and staying in treatment.

Results: Chronic inebriates who were offered treatment were mainly 50 years or older (69%), male (93%), Caucasian (79%) and had more than one arrest (83%). A total of 155/280 (55%) entered treatment and 39/155 (25%) completed treatment goals. Older age (OR=1.22; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.45), male gender (OR=3.75; 95% CI, 1.17 to 11.87), prior emergency medical services transports (OR=1.92; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.31) and higher sum of jail sentence days (OR=16.40; 95% CI, 6.82 to 39.42 for 200 or more days compared to 0-60) were independently associated with accepting treatment. Similar factors were associated with treatment completion with the exclusion of gender and inclusion of not having a monthly income.

Conclusions: This study identifies factors associated with accepting and completing treatment among chronic alcoholics who were offered treatment. These factors could be used to improve the enrollment and retention of clients.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe the Serial Inebriate Program.
• 2. Discuss factors associated with chronic public inebriate population.
• 3. List factors associated with treatment acceptance and completion.

Keywords: Alcohol, Homeless

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No