Self-help program components and linkage to aftercare following inpatient detoxification

Many patients fail to initiate aftercare for addictive disease rehabilitation following detoxification. This study of 136 inpatients compared characteristics of those who initiated aftercare (behavior therapy or self-help programs) during the week following discharge with those who did not. Among this group of patients, 77% (91/119) linked to aftercare. Self-help treatment related components were associated with increased aftercare treatment attendance rates and included: having a copy of the "12 Steps" (81% vs. 46%, P =.002), having read self-help literature (73% vs. 42%, P =.007), and having telephone numbers of self-help program members (50% vs. 18%, P =.008). Those who initiated aftercare treatment were also more likely to have remained abstinent from drugs and alcohol (81% vs. 39%, P <.001). Having self-help treatment related components was associated with increased rates of aftercare attendance following hospital inpatient detoxification.