The effect of anxiety and depression on completion/withdrawal status in patients admitted to substance abuse detoxification program

A large proportion of patients entering substance abuse treatment carry psychiatric diagnoses, and some studies have found that those with psychopathology are more likely to withdraw before treatment is completed. We performed a prospective study of patients entering an inpatient substance abuse detoxification program to determine if the degree of anxiety and/or depression correlated with higher dropout rates. On entry to the unit, all patients were administered the Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression and Anxiety. Of the 148 patients studied, 97 (65.5%) completed treatment and 51 (34.5%) withdrew prematurely. There were no significant differences in Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale scores between completers and withdrawers. This was true for the total study population, as well as for subgroups of patients based on primary drug abused (heroin or cocaine). Although anxiety and depression are common in substance abusers, we were unable to detect differences on validated anxiety and depression rating scales between those completing and those withdrawing from substance abuse detoxification.