What is not known is whether long-term outcomes for individuals entering SU treatment are similar between those reducing use to light levels and having no alcohol or drug-related problems and those attaining abstinence after treatment. Studies on remission or decreased use have often examined general population samples and focused on alcohol only (Dawson et al., 2007; Ilgen et al., 2008; Moos and Moos, 2006; Rosenberg, 1993; Sobell and Sobell, 1995), or on durations of 3 years or less (Dawson et al., 2007). Further, most research has been substance-specific, not reflecting the heterogeneity of drug dependence found in today’s treatment programs. Because today’s public and private treatment populations most often use multiple substances (Institute of Medicine, 2006; Rounsaville et al., 2003; Stinson et al., 2005; Tsuang et al., 1994; Weisner et al., 2001a), examining stability and predictors of relapse versus sustained remission in a heterogeneous treatment sample can inform clinical interventions.
