Self-help activities in cocaine dependent patients entering treatment: results from NIDA collaborative cocaine treatment study.

Although little is known about self-help attendance among cocaine dependent patients, clinicians frequently recommend this treatment. Cocaine dependent patients (519) entering a psychotherapy study were therefore surveyed regarding their recent self-help group attendance and participation. During the previous week, 34% had attended a self-help group. Of self-help attenders who actively participated 55% initiated abstinence within the next month, compared with 40% of non-attenders and 38% of non-participating attenders (P < 0.01). These findings support the potential short-term positive prognostic significance of self-help attendance and participation in cocaine dependent patients.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes