Telephone-based aftercare after inpatient drug rehab fosters compliance

family members included educational readings on topics related to the patient’s particular problems (anger management, codependency, trauma, communication, etc), information about local support groups, and/or patient progress updates.

Compliance rates remained high throughout the program. There was a 92.1 percent response rate at 6 months, and 91 percent at 12 months. Most of the patients generally saw positive outcomes, especially if they chose to have their loved ones participate. Those who didn’t, however, had a significantly higher likelihood of being re-admitted to residential addiction treatment within the 12 months. Nearly three-quarters of the patients attended their required post-discharge first appointment, and more than two-thirds maintained sobriety during the entire program, which suggested that telephone-based aftercare was associated with both short- and long-term benefits for those with a substance use disorder.

These outcomes show the potential of aftercare programs that are tailored to the individual, suggesting that “interventions designed to enhance patient adherence to their continuing care plans are of paramount importance,” researchers wrote. “In fact, review studies of the vast substance use treatment literature suggest that long-term care strategies involving continued monitoring produce lasting benefits for individuals with a substance use disorder.”

Holly Lawrence
Author: Holly Lawrence

Holly Lawrence is a general assignment reporter and editor for Addiction Now. She covers topics including recent scientific studies, lifestyle trends and breaking news. Contact Holly at hollyl@drugaddictionnow.com.

Summary
Telephone-based aftercare after inpatient drug rehab fosters compliance
Article Name
Telephone-based aftercare after inpatient drug rehab fosters compliance
Description
A new study on AiRCare, an addiction aftercare program that involved regular telephone communication between clinicians, patients and loved ones over a 12-month period after discharge from residential addiction treatment.
Author
Holly Lawrence
Publisher Name
Addiction Now