Adapting Critical Time Intervention for Residential Substance Use Treatment

Abstract

Abstract Residential detoxification programs and other forms of intensive treatment for substance misuse problems are often followed by failure to successfully engage with follow-up services and supports, leading to frequent relapse. These problems are exacerbated among persons with dual diagnoses of substance use and mental health disorders due to the challenges inherent in navigating sequential or parallel mental health and substance abuse services. Although several linkage interventions have been developed specifically for substance abuse residential treatment programs, their efficacy has been limited. This chapter describes a pilot effort that tested Critical Time Intervention (CTI) as a strategy to help enhance continuity of support for persons with substance use problems following residential treatment for substance misuse problems. Preliminary findings indicate that CTI contributed to an improved likelihood of receiving post-discharge treatment, suggesting that it is a potentially useful model to provide re-entry services for persons transitioning from residential substance use treatment.