Engaging hospitalized heroin-dependent patients into substance abuse treatment.

摘要: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a 6-month outpatient program developed improve abstinence and other health social problems heroin-addicted persons hospitalized in an urban academic medical center's or surgical unit referred from the Substance Abuse Consult Service. Treatment intervention consisted methadone therapy, daily group individual case management, psychiatric consultation, services. first 67 patients were followed for 6 months. Outcome measures retention treatment, urine drug screens, indicators. Patients averaged 19 weeks with 52% completing program. Urine toxicology screens showed reduction illicit use. improved deficits indicators by obtaining coverage, keeping appointments, improving their housing conditions. Findings suggest that combination intensive psychosocial treatment opioid substitution following acute illness substantially impacts outcomes. Implications service delivery health-care economics are discussed.