Engaging and retaining women in outpatient alcohol and other drug treatment: the effect of referral intensity.

Women with alcohol or other drug (AOD) problems experience a range of barriers to inpatient treatment. Although research in the general population shows that high-intensity referrals are more effective than low-intensity referrals at engaging and retaining individuals in outpatient AOD treatment, the impact of referral intensity has not been assessed for women only. To examine this issue, a secondary analysis was conducted using an existing data set that included a sample of 109 women. Although intensity of referral was not related to entry into or relapse during treatment, high-intensity referral was associated with completion of treatment. In addition, women who relapsed during treatment were less likely to complete it, underscoring the need for relapse prevention training.