Changes in Substance Use and Risk Behaviours One Year after Treatment. Outcomes associated with a Quasi-Residential Rehabilitation Service for Alcohol and Drug Users in Edinburgh

Abstract

Despite limited evidence base, rehabilitation services are associated with positive outcomes in U.K. research (Best et al., _2010_ Best, D., Rome, A., Hanning, K., White, W., Gossop, M., Taylor, A., & Perkins, A. (2010). Research for recovery: A review of the drugs evidence base. Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Government.

). The authors investigated outcomes associated following a 12-week abstinence-based treatment program. Data were collected from 145 patients using a European Version of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-X) at intake, 6 months, and 1 year after completion. Individuals showed significantly better ASI-X scores after participating in program compared to their scores prior to the intervention. Those who completed the program had significantly better outcomes in medical and psychiatric domains at 12-month follow-up than those who dropped out before completion. Attending this abstinence-based program was associated with positive changes to physical health and social wellbeing, which were sustained 12 months after completion.