ABSTRACT

Background: In the past two decades, a number of studies investigating the role of the therapeutic alliance in drug treatment have been published and it is timely that their findings are brought together in a comprehensive review.

Aims: This paper has two principal aims: (1) to assess the degree to which the relationship between drug user and counsellor predicts treatment outcome and (2) to examine critically the evidence on determinants of the quality of the alliance.

Methods: Peer‐reviewed research located through the literature databases Medline, PsycInfo and Ovid Full Text...

Abstract

Background

To investigate the role of the therapeutic alliance in predicting length of retention in residential drug treatment.

Methods

The study recruited 187 clients starting residential rehabilitation treatment for drug misuse in three UK services. Counsellor and client information was assessed at intake, and the average total scores of client and counsellor ratings on the WAI-S (obtained during weeks 1–3) were use as the alliance measure. Length of retention and treatment completion (stay beyond 90 days) were used as measures of retention.

Results

Clients with weak...