Differences in the acceptability of non-abstinence goals by type of drug among American substance abuse clinicians

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2014 Feb;46(2):214-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2013.07.005. Epub 2013 Aug 15.

Abstract

To assess whether acceptability of non-abstinence outcome goals varied depending on the specific drug a client consumes (alcohol, cannabis, amphetamine, heroin, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, polydrug), severity of diagnosis (DSM-IV Abuse vs. Dependence), and finality of outcome goal (intermediate vs. final), we recruited 432 clinicians to complete a web-based questionnaire. More respondents rated non-abstinence acceptable as an intermediate goal for clients diagnosed with alcohol abuse (44%) or cannabis abuse (43%) than for clients diagnosed as abusing the other listed drugs (23 to 31%). Similarly, larger proportions of respondents rated non-abstinence as acceptable as a final goal for clients diagnosed with alcohol abuse (30%) or cannabis abuse (24%) than for clients diagnosed as abusing the other drugs (11 to 13%). Only 9 to 13% of respondents rated non-abstinence as an acceptable final goal for clients diagnosed with dependence, but 20% to 30% rated non-abstinence as acceptable as an intermediate goal for clients diagnosed as dependent.

Keywords: Controlled drinking; Controlled drug use; Harm reduction; Non-abstinence.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Female
  • Goals
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States