Analysis of an addictions treatment system.

A treatment system consisting of an assessment/referral service, a detox, a mission, a hospital recovery unit, and three recovery homes was examined using a retrospective client-tracking approach over 1 year. There were 4,187 admissions to the system accounted for by 1,522 individuals; system users tended to be males, unmarried, unemployed, and in their 30s and 40s. The best predictor of readmission to the system after treatment was prior system use. Use patterns and referral data indicated that perceived gatekeepers (i.e., detoxication and assessment services) were not consistently coordinating the system and that more socially stable clients appeared to be more likely to be involved with non-addiction specific services (i.e., medical, general counselling).