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Elizabeth Evans, MA, Suzanne E. Spear, MS, Yu-Chang Huang, DrPH and Yih-Ing Hser, PhD

The authors are affiliated with the Neuropsychiatric Institute’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints can be sent to Elizabeth Evans, UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, 1640 South Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (e-mail: laevans{at}ucla.edu).

Objectives. We examined differences in substance abuse treatment outcomes between American Indians and their non–American Indian counterparts in California, during 2000 to 2002.

Methods. A total of 368 American Indians and a matched sample of 368 non–American Indians from 39 substance abuse treatment programs in 13 California counties were assessed at multiple time points. Records on arrests, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and mental health care were obtained 1 year before and 1 year after treatment entry. Differences in pretreatment characteristics, services received, treatment satisfaction, treatment completion and retention, and outcomes were examined.

Results. Pretreatment problems were similarly severe among American Indians and non–American Indians. About half in both groups either completed treatment or stayed in treatment more than 90 days; American Indians in residential care had significantly shorter treatment retention. American Indians received fewer individual sessions and out-of-program services, especially for alcohol abuse, but were nevertheless generally satisfied with their treatment. Both groups improved after treatment, with American Indians demonstrating greater reductions in arrests than non–American Indians.

Conclusion. American Indians benefit from substance abuse treatment programs, although the type and intensity of services offered could be improved.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Niv, R. Pham, and Y.-I. Hser Racial and Ethnic Differences in Substance Abuse Service Needs, Utilization, and Outcomes in California Psychiatr Serv, October 1, 2009; 60(10): 1350 - 1356. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]