Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine differences between substance abuse treatment completers and substance abuse treatment drop outs. It also examined the perception of the family relationship dynamics after the treatment. Method. The dissertation focused on ethnicity, gender, age, and family history of substance abusers. Archival data on 107 European Americans, 76 African Americans and 65 Mexican Americans outpatient substance abuse treatment participants' information was extracted from the Addition Severity Index (ASI) Scale from San Bernardino County Mental Health Substance Abuse Clinic. Results. This study found no significant difference in treatment completers verses treatment drop outs with regard to gender. Older participants (26-58 year olds) were more likely to complete the treatment program compared to younger (18-25 year old) participants. No significant difference between African American women verses European American and Mexican American in terms of treatment drop outs and treatment completers. Having a parent with a history of substance abuse did not affect the participant's family/social subscale score on the Addiction Severity Index Scale. However, having a sibling with a history of substance abuse resulted in lower family/social relationship scores. This implies that they had better family/social relationships. The perception of treatment completer's family dynamics improved after substance abuse treatment compared to treatment drop outs. Findings also suggest no difference between male and female substance abusers in terms of their perceptions regarding their long lasting relationships with mother, father, sibling and/or partner. Discussion. Findings demonstrate that the variables that contribute to treatment completion for substance abuse are changing due to the increase number of females in treatment and individuals from different ethnicities and cultures that participate in treatment. Training of clinical staff on multiculturalism and diversity issues are possibly and hopefully changing treatment outcomes for women and individuals of different ethnicities. Moreover, further studies on relationship changes before, during and after substance abuse treatment should be conducted.