Treatment outcomes of drug users in probation period: three months follow-up

OBJECTIVES: This research aims to identify the factors that affect treatment compliance of substance users who have been sent for treatment under a three-month follow-up period, within the scope of probation.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty-four substance users, who were sent to Erenköy Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Hospital AMATEM Clinic within the scope of probation, were taken under research, consecutively. Initially, the Addiction Index Profile Clinic Form (BAPI-K) was applied to substance users, who were then taken to cigarette, alcohol, and drug dependence treatment programme (SAMBA). Urine tests were made every 15 days, six times in total. People in whose urine tests substance was found once in three-month period have been considered incompatible with the treatment.

RESULTS: About 33.1% of the sample was considered incompatible with the treatment. Preliminary craving and novelty-seeking behaviour subscale have been found to be higher in those who were considered as incompatible with treatment. No positive urine test results on substance users who completed SAMBA programme were found. In logistic regression analysis, novelty-seeking behaviour, craving, and impulsive behaviours were found to be predictors of incompatibility with treatment as three separate and independent variables. The risk of incompatibility with treatment has been found to be 41 times more (odds ratio = 41.00, CI = 5.91–284.14) for those with one positive result in the last three urine samples.

CONCLUSIONS: It has been thought that substance users who have high craving, noveltyseeking behaviour, and impulsive behaviour in the scope of probation should be monitored more intensively, that structured treatment programme enhances compliance, and that finding substance at the last urine samples can be considered a sign of incompatibility with treatment.