What Differentiates Dropping Out from Remaining in a Brief Intervention for Problematic and Dependent Methamphetamine Users?

Abstract

Amphetamine-type stimulants (including methamphetamine) are the second most frequently used illicit substances, after cannabis worldwide. The treatment dropout rate is higher among stimulant users than in the case of any other substance. Younger age, greater severity of the substance use disorder, lower motivation to change, and greater mental health problems are among the predictors of treatment dropout. Research showed that a brief intervention with cognitive-behavioral strategies and motivational interviewing addresses the most paramount issues. This paper investigates the differences between the individuals who dropped out and those who remained in the intervention. Twenty-one participants dropped out from the intervention, and 32 remained in the intervention. The analyzed variables included illicit substance use, severity of methamphetamine dependence, alcohol use (with distinction between spirits, wine and beer), motivation to change (readiness for change questionnaire), depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms, life satisfaction and self-efficacy. The results showed no differences between the two investigated groups except for beer consumed 30 days before the intervention. (the drop-out group consumed statistically more beer). The results showed that there is a need for further investigation since none of the substance use or person-specific characteristics differentiated dropping out from remaining in the intervention.