Demographic risk factors predicting substance use treatment outcomes

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Jade Vincent Quintero (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Kia Asberg

Abstract: Substance use disorders and misuse of alcohol and drugs are significant problems in the UnitedStates. Demographic variables such as age, marital status, education, and race or ethno-culturalbackground may play a role in the prediction of substance use, especially problematic use orabuse. Findings throughout the literature, however, are mixed, perhaps in part because certaindemographic risk factors may ‘behave’ differently depending on the outcome of interest (i.e.,substance use versus relapse), and vary also as a function of norms of substance use within acertain group. Less is also known about the extent to which common predictor variables such asage and marital status are able to predict pre- and post-treatment adjustment across genders,ethnic groups, and treatment types. Finally, the relative dearth of studies examining demographicvariables in relation to relapse, as well as the lack of current studies, suggests a need for athorough investigation of the aforementioned variables as predictors of relapse in a clinicalsample. Risk factors such as age, education level, marital status, and employment status havebeen shown to be predictors of substance use treatment outcomes in numerous studies. However,results of the present study suggest that when examining these risk factors across race, gender,and program type there is a compounding effect leading to higher relapse rates than when examining just the risk factor regardless of age, gender, or program type. Findings may aidsubstance use treatment programs in their identification of clients who may do especially well ina particular treatment type, and also help prevent relapse among individuals with certain key riskdemographics. Ultimately, such findings may reduce the financial and emotional cost associatedwith relapse following treatment.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2016
Subjects
Substance abuse -- Treatment
Substance abuse -- Relapse -- Prevention

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