Drug Treatment Outcome Methodology (1993-1997) Strengths, Weaknesses, and a Comparison to the Alcohol Field.

Author(s)

Timothy P. Ellingstad, University of California - San Diego
Linda C. Sobell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Mark B. Sobell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Pamela Planthara, Nova Southeastern University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2002

Publication Title

Addictive Behaviors

Volume

27

Issue/Number

3

First Page

319

ISSN

0306-4603

Last Page

330

Abstract/Excerpt

Although several critiques of the methodology of alcohol treatment outcome studies have been published, similar reviews of the methodology of drug treatment outcome studies are lacking. This paper reviews the methodology of drug treatment outcome studies published from 1993 through 1997 and draws comparisons with the most recent methodological review of alcohol treatment outcome studies. Each drug study was evaluated as to whether the following types of data were reported: (1) demographic, (2) drug use, (3) study characteristics, and (4) outcome and follow-up information. Although results for drug studies showed some areas of strength compared to alcohol studies, in general, the weaknesses were similar to or worse than in the alcohol field, including inadequate reporting of demographic and drug use variables. Weaknesses in follow-up procedures were particularly notable. Suggestions for improving the reporting of methodological and outcome variables for drug treatment outcome studies are discussed.

DOI

10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00261-1

NSUWorks Citation

Ellingstad, T. P., Sobell, L. C., Sobell, M. B., Planthara, P. (2002). Drug Treatment Outcome Methodology (1993-1997) Strengths, Weaknesses, and a Comparison to the Alcohol Field.. Addictive Behaviors, 27(3), 319-330.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/108