Are the treatment goals of culturally competent outpatient substance abuse treatment units congruent with their client profile?

This study examines whether organizational treatment goals varied among outpatient substance abuse treatment (OSAT) units identified as providing a level of culturally competent care for African Americans. Cross-sectional data from the 1995 National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey (NDATSS) was used. Of the nationally representative, stratified sample of 699 units, 618 (88%) participated. Spearman correlation, analysis of variance, Behrens-Fisher t-tests, chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression were used. Culturally competent units, even after controlling for organizational and client characteristics, were more apt than non-culturally competent units to indicate that achieving steady employment, spiritual strength, and physical health were important treatment goals. A congruency exists among culturally competent OSAT units between the client profile, which is more distressful than that for non-culturally competent units, and the orientation of treatment goals, which are more holistic; that is, treating the total individual, rather than the addiction only.