Citation

Mertens JR, Weisner CM, Ray GT. J. Stud. Alcohol 2005; 66(6): 842-847.

Affiliation

Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, 3rd floor, Oakland, California 94612-2304, USA. Jennifer.Mertens@kp.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16459946

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Similar to other chronic conditions, chemical dependency is a chronic, relapsing condition. Yet predominant treatment models do not provide ongoing, long-term treatment services; readmission is the available long-term care for alcohol and drug patients. We examine readmission patterns and the role of readmission in 5-year outcome in chemical dependency patients in a private, integrated health plan. METHOD: We used health plan utilization databases and self-report at 5-year follow-up to measure readmission and routine primary care services in 647 chemical dependency outpatients from a private health plan. Logistic regression was used to examine whether readmission and primary medical care predicted abstinence at 5 years. RESULTS: Controlling for demographic characteristics and dependence type, higher odds for past-year alcohol and drug abstinence at 5 years following treatment was predicted by having been readmitted in the first 4 years after index episode (odds ratio =1.59, p = .006). Receiving routine medical care predicted past 30-day (but not past-year) abstinence at 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of readmissions to better outcome at 5 years suggests that long-term continuing care may benefit patients' long-term outcomes. More research is needed on the relationship of primary medical care to long-term outcome in chemical dependency patients.

Language: en