Brief motivational feedback improves post-incarceration treatment contact among veterans with substance use disorders

OBJECTIVES: To test the efficacy of providing brief motivational feedback to increase post-incarceration substance use disorders (SUD) treatment contact. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial (feedback vs. control) with a 2-month post-incarceration follow-up. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans (N = 73) incarcerated in a county jail system who met SUD diagnostic criteria. MEASURES: Baseline assessment included the Addiction Severity Index, the Form-90 assessment of recent alcohol use, and a DSM-IV SUD criteria checklist. The primary outcome was Veterans Administration (VA) appointments. Secondary outcomes were the Addiction Severity Index-Followup and the Treatment Services Review. INTERVENTION: All participants received baseline assessment. The feedback condition received personalized feedback and encouragement to explore ambivalence about change and treatment in a single interview. RESULTS: Participants receiving feedback were more likely to schedule appointments at a VA addictions clinic within 60 days of their jail release dates (67 vs. 41%; P < 0.03). Though differences were not statistically significant, more feedback participants attended addictions clinic appointments (47 vs. 32%; ns) and were retained in addictions treatment at 90 days (31 vs. 14%; P < 0.08). Treatment appointments were more likely when intervention occurred close to release. Loss of participants to post-release follow-up interviews was >50%, limiting power to detect significant differences by self-report. CONCLUSION: Brief motivational feedback shows promise as a way to link incarcerated individuals to SUD treatment services.