Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: This poster presents findings from the five-year study, "Drug Court Offenders in Outpatient Treatment." The goal of this study was to provide an increased understanding of the influence that drug courts have in motivating treatment completion and post-treatment success when offenders are referred to outpatient substance abuse treatment. The current research aims to better understand why and how treatment works in this context. To accoplish this goal, three major specific aims were assessed. We collected a sample of adult offenders in outpatient substance abuse treatment and examined a) multiple post-treatment outcomes b) the impact of drug court referrals on treatment completion, and c) variations in treatment interest, treatment completion, and treatment outcomes. On the basis of the data presented, we conclude that referrals to the New Castle County Drug Court increased treatment completion and that this increased completion is directly influenced by motivations induced by the drug court, which in turn results in successful treatment outcomes. Findings from treatment program data,the Client Satisfaction Survey (CSS) interview, and the 12 and 24-months follow-up interviews are reported. More specifically, predictors of program completion, recidivism and relapse by treatment group, treatment interest, concurrent life problems, drug use history and treatment history are presented.