Examining cessation among drug users outside of treatment

Objectives: Extensive studies have shown that drug treatment increases the chances of cessation among users. Fewer studies have focused on drug users who quit while not concurrently in drug treatment. Our objective was to look at the frequency of cessation among drug users who were not in treatment. Methods: We analyzed data from a community-based sample of crack, cocaine and heroin users aged ≥ 18 years recruited from 38 target neighborhoods. Interviews included questions on drug use and dependence, treatment and periods without drug use. Results: Of the 975 drug users, 67% were male, 45% black, 43% Hispanic and 12% white/other; median age was 40 years old. In the past 6 months, 45% were in drug treatment and 29% abstained from drug use for a period of time. Among drug dependent users (72% of the sample), periods without drug use were more common among those who had treatment versus those that did not (34% versus 26%; p = 0.03). However, there were no differences among non dependent drug users who reported periods without drug use whether they were in treatment or not (27% versus 27%; p = 0.98). Discussion: The data support the benefit of drug treatment for drug dependence. Of note, even without drug treatment, periods without drug use were not uncommon. While this study did not measure duration of cessation, further research will identify factors for sustained cessation, especially outside treatment.