In light of what appear to be differences in treatment experiences and completion, it is somewhat surprising that racial/ethnic groups appear to have similar treatment outcomes. This was shown in several studies presented at an NIAAA symposium on treatment research and health disparities (e.g., see studies by (Brower and Carey, 2003; McKay et al., 2003; Morgenstern and Bux, 2003; Tonigan, 2003). Tonigan et al.’s (2003) analysis of Project Match data found that minorities did as well as, or better than, whites at 6- and 12-months post-treatment. Although drinks per drinking day were similar, black outpatient clients had more abstinent days than whites. This was notable given black clients’ more intensive drinking patterns at baseline, and the fact that whites were more educated, showed greater efforts to change prior to treatment, and greater attendance at therapy. Similar results were also observed by McKay and colleagues (2003) in their randomized study of continuing care treatments for alcohol- and cocaine-dependent persons. Despite less education, more employment problems, more cocaine dependence, and greater cohabitation with alcohol- and drug-addicted persons, black clients alcohol showed outcomes
