=======================
                         JeffNEWS, July 12, 1994
                         =======================


Cocaine Program Reaches Milestone
---------------------------------

   Jefferson's Cocaine Program, located at 21st Street and Washington
Avenue, recently enrolled the 2,000th patient into its intensive
outpatient program. The program is one of the few in the region that
specializes in addiction to a single drug, according to W. Vernon Lee,
PhD, clinical coordinator of the program. 

   The 2,000 figure is significant because, over the more than five
years of the program's existence, the drop-out rate has decreased, and
the number of those completing the course has increased.

   "One reason for this favorable trend is that Jefferson's Cocaine
Program helps patients handle the multitude of other problems they
have," said Ronald D. Serota, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and
human behavior and director of the program. 

   For example, the program will help homeless patients find shelter or
help mothers in the program find childcare.

   In addition, patients can have a physical examination performed by
Dr. Serota, who may find additional problems that need attention.
"Clinic counselors can help patients find a primary-care physician who
accepts their medical insurance," he said. Patients who are acutely ill
are immediately referred for appropriate care. 

   Dr. Lee describes another incentive that encourages patients to
remain - the special ceremony for program "completers." In the company
of those still in the program, those who have completed it receive
certificates honoring their accomplishment.

   "It's a triumph when a patient completes three months of this type of
intensive treatment because cocaine addiction is marked by chronic
relapses. Seeing that people can stay with the program gives the others
confidence that they can, too."

   The three-month, three-day-a-week, three-hour-a-day intensive program
consists of group therapy, followed by structured activity such as
relapse prevention or discussion of the medical complications of
cocaine, and then voluntary attendance at a 12-step program conducted on
site by Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous.

   Once they complete the Jefferson program, patients are linked to
ongoing programs of care and therapy. The Jefferson staff will call them
in nine months to learn how they're doing.

   And some are doing quite well. Recently, Dr. Lee and some Cocaine
Program staff members were lunching at a nearby restaurant when one of
the waitresses came over and reintroduced herself as a former patient.

   "She told us she hadn't used cocaine for 15 months and urged us to
send over any patient who was now drug-free because this restaurant was
hiring people who want a chance to start over," he said.

   The program has many "graduates," some now conducting 12-step
meetings, working or back in school. One person is even operating a
shelter for chemically addicted people, according to Dr. Lee.

   Over the years, Edward Gottheil, MD, PhD, professor of psychiatry and
human behavior and director of the division of substance abuse, has
found that more people enter treatment if there's less waiting time for
appointments. That's why Jefferson's Cocaine Program has a no-waiting-list
policy.

   His research also indicates that if staff call patients who have
missed their initial appointments to enroll in the clinic, many are
encouraged to come in. These patients are just as likely to complete the
program as those who didn't need this additional indication of concern.

   Also involved in research and clinical supervision is Stephen P.
Weinstein, PhD, clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior, who
is associate director of the division.

   He and Dr. Gottheil are attempting to determine whether certain
patient characteristics can indicate who will do better in different
types of treatment for cocaine addiction. The treatments are:
once-a-week individual therapy, once-a-week individual therapy plus
group therapy, and the intensive model of Jefferson's Cocaine Program.

   For more information, call 215-790-9942.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information provided by:  Editor, JeffNEWS
                          (215) 955-6204
------------------------------------------------------------------------------