Factors Influencing Community-Based Rehabilitation for Persons with Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Disorders

This pilot study describes factors influencing rehabilitation in a community-based program for individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. Findings indicate that individuals who had been in the program for more than six months had fewer absences and were more likely to adhere to program requirements. Psychiatric symptom relapse occurred in fewer than one-half of participants and was associated with program absence, medication nonadherence, substance abuse, and hospitalization. Family problems were associated with psychiatric symptom and substance abuse relapse as well as hospitalization. Findings suggest the need to identify specific reasons for nonadherence to treatment during the first six months of enrollment. Further study is needed to identify interventions to assist individuals with recovery early in the program, especially in regard to coping with family problems and psychiatric symptoms and substance abuse relapse.