Race, age, and back pain as factors in completion of residential substance abuse treatment by veterans.

Abstract

Variables associated with successful completion of residential substance abuse treatment were identified. The records of 340 veterans admitted to a 120-day substance abuse treatment program were retrospectively analyzed. The likelihood of successful treatment completion was calculated as a function of race, age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, past suicide attempts, homelessness, legal history, childhood physical or sexual abuse, parental history of addiction, multiple substance dependence, medical problems, and the race of the therapist. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to identify variables that were significant predictors of treatment completion. Overall, 66 percent of veterans completed the program. Eighty-two percent of the veterans admitted to the program were black, and 16 percent were white. The completion rate of black veterans (71 percent) was significantly higher than that of white veterans (49 percent). Veterans completing treatment were significantly more likely to be older, by an average of two years, than those who did not complete treatment. The association between younger age and failure to complete the program was largely accounted for by younger black veterans. Veterans with back pain were significantly less likely to complete treatment than those without back pain. Completion rates did not vary by the other variables examined. In the regression analysis that included age, race, and back pain, each variable, when adjusted by the other variables, was a significant predictor of completion. White patients were less likely to complete residential substance abuse treatment in a program in which the majority of both therapists and patients were black. Younger black veterans and those with back pain were also less likely to complete treatment.