Physical proximity as a possible facilitator in post-detoxification treatment-seeking among chemically dependent veterans.

The transition into rehabilitative treatment following detoxification is a critical event for most chemically dependent individuals. A host of factors may enhance or impede this transition, yet little or no research has been done to shed light on this issue. This paper presents the results of the fortuitous changing of one variable which appeared to increase the likelihood of a successful transition, namely, the degree of physical proximity of the detox program and the rehab program. Results indicated a significantly greater proportion of patients successfully making the transition from detox to rehab when the programs were very close proximally than when they were less close. The role of possible patient-to-patient modeling effects was discussed.