After three months, the proportion committing offences halved.
40% of those seeking treatment had committed criminal offences
in the 4 weeks prior to the start of treatment. At the first
followup interview 3 months later, this had halved to 21%, and at
12 months fell again to 16%.
Improvements were also seen in the proportions with employment,
stable housing, and mental health, though the mental wellbeing
scores remained below the UK average.
Back to topThree months after seeking treatment, the proportion using heroin, crack and many other drugs fell by around 50%.
The proportion of treatment seekers using heroin, crack,
cocaine, amphetamines or benzodiazapines approximately halved by
the time of the 2nd interview.
The proportion using non-prescribed methadone, or opiates other
than heroin and methadone, fell by more than half, whereas the
proportion consuming cannabis or alcohol fell by considerably
less.
Back to topThe findings indicate that drug treatment needs to be sufficiently flexible to respond to the range of pressures reinforcing an individuals’ dependency.
Treatment seekers face a range of pressures reinforcing their
dependency. A current challenge to service providers was responding
comprehensively to clients' needs against a backdrop of increasing
numbers and longer retention in drug treatment.
Back to topMotivation is often seen as key to long term change.
Some treatment providers and treatment users made the
distinction between motivation that was just at the surface level
and a 'deep' level of motivation.
It was reported that 'surface' level motivation could lead to
positive short-term impacts but were seen as unlikely to lead
to longer-term recovery.
Referral to treatment via the criminal justice system (CJS) did not
seem to affect treatment seekers' motivation positively or
negatively.
Back to top76% of treatment seekers completed their planned treatment, or remained in treatment for at least 12 weeks.
Levels of completion or three-month retention in treatment were
generally high, but were lower among treatment seekers in their
first experience of structured treatment.
Back to topContextual factors, such as accommodation, influenced success.
The context in which treatment was taking place can help or
hinder change. Key factors included the level of drug taking in a
participant's immediate environment, the presence of stressors in
their life (particularly their housing situation), the presence or
lack of a support network, and the attitude and approach of
non-specialist services.
Back to topDrug treatment is cost-beneficial.
Manchester University's cost benefit analysis estimated that,
for every £1 spent on drug treatment, an estimated £2.50 was saved.
Drug treatment was cost-beneficial in 80% of cases.
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