Use of a Sense of Coherence Test and Hopkins Symptom Checklist to Predict Completion of Stay in a Postdetoxification Counseling Unit

The author observed 61 multi‐substance abusers with a mean length of abuse of 16 years who were tested with two psychometric tests to predict completion of a 3‐week post‐detoxification, residential counseling period. Age at entry, length of abusing career, and number of previous detoxifications at the facility did not discriminate between completers and noncompleters of the counseling period. In women, 54% and in men, 79% completed the residential period. Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL‐24) scores indicated psychological stress in both groups but not significantly more in noncompleters. However, Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale differentiated significantly between groups. Noncompleters had a mean score of 2.72 vs. completers' 31. This difference indicates less manageability, comprehensibility, and meaning in the lives of noncompleters. Although the HSCL did not differ between groups, the level of distress was high in both groups. Thus, using both tests may give clinicians a tool to predict early drop‐out. (American Journal on Addictions 1996; 5:327–333)