Health-related quality of life trajectories of methamphetamine-dependent individuals as a function of treatment completion and continued care over a 1-year period

Gonzales, Rachel; Ang, Alfonso; Marinelli-Casey, Patricia; Glik, Deborah C.; Iguchi, Martin Y.; Rawson, Richard A.; Methamphetamine Treatment Project Corporate Authors,

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2009.04.001

« Previous Next »Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 37, Issue 4 , Pages 353-361, December 2009

Health-related quality of life trajectories of methamphetamine-dependent individuals as a function of treatment completion and continued care over a 1-year period

Rachel Gonzales, Ph.D.
- Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
- Corresponding author. Rachel Gonzales, Ph.D., 1640 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. Tel.: +1 310 267 5554; fax: +1 310 312 0538.
Alfonso Ang, Ph.D.
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
Patricia Marinelli-Casey, Ph.D.
- Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
Deborah C. Glik, Sc.D.
- School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
Martin Y. Iguchi, Ph.D.
- School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
Richard A. Rawson, Ph.D.
- Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
Methamphetamine Treatment Project Corporate Authors
- Acknowledgments detail Corporate Author list.

Received 7 November 2008; received in revised form 26 March 2009; accepted 3 April 2009. published online 25 June 2009.

Abstract

This study applies a chronic illness framework to evaluate treatment outcomes among individuals dependent on methamphetamine (MA). Using growth curve modeling, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) trajectories of MA-dependent individuals (N = 723) were examined over a 1-year period. Results show greater improvements in mental HRQOL trajectories as a function of treatment completion and continued care, although fairly static trajectories in physical health status. Other factors affecting HRQOL trajectories included gender, psychosocial functioning, drug use severity, and health impairment. Results extend research on treatment evaluations for MA dependence, highlighting the importance of continued service utilization for improved quality of life outcomes.

Keywords: Methamphetamine, Health-related quality of life, Continued care