Enhancing substance abuse treatment for women through case management services

Women in need of substance abuse treatment face challenges in their recoveries, continued sobriety, and productive functioning in society. Histories of physical and mental abuse, physical and mental health problems, parenting and family issues, and housing and transportation issues are obstacles to successful treatment for these women. Case management services can enhance the effectiveness of treatment programs by providing practical support to clients that addresses their individual needs and goals. Randomized assignment placed women into either a control or treatment group. The control group received a standard four-month substance abuse treatment program and the treatment group received one year of weekly meetings with a case manager in addition to the same standard treatment program. A total of 66 women with complete data were included in the analyses (N_control = 45 and N_treatment = 21). The treatment group had significantly greater increases in mental competence, emotional well-being, levels of belonging, and levels of appraisal at the end of the study compared to the control group. Measures of drug problems, legal problems, and family/social problems were less for the treatment group compared to the control group at study completion. Baseline mental, physical, social, and family factors will also be examined as factors of treatment success. Identification of supports and obstacles can promote recovery success and help tailor the case manager's interactions with their clients more effectively.