The Authors’ Own Words: Homelessness predicts attrition but not alcohol abstinence in outpatients experiencing co-occurring alcohol dependence and serious mental illness

The Authors’ Own Words:

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Homelessness predicts attrition but not alcohol abstinence in outpatients experiencing co-occurring alcohol dependence and serious mental illness

Emily Leickly, BA; Jordan Skalisky, BA; Oladunni Oluwoye, PhD; Sterling M. McPherson, PhD; Debra Srebnik, PhD; John M. Roll, PhD; Richard K. Ries, MD; & Michael G. McDonell, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 39, Iss. 3, 2018

“Individuals with serious mental illness receiving contingency management (CM) for alcohol dependence who were also experiencing homelessness had higher rates of CM attrition than those who were housed. However, homelessness was not associated with differences in EtG-assessed alcohol abstinence. Thus, CM could be a promising intervention for adults with co-occurring disorders provided homelessness-related participation barriers are addressed.”