Situational factors affecting abstinence from drugs: Panel data analysis of patients with drug use disorders in residential drug use treatment

To identify situational factors that can predict drug abstention in patients with drug use disorders undergoing residential drug use treatment.Patients with drug use disorders admitted to drug addiction rehabilitation centers (DARCs) in 2016 were involved in this study. Longitudinal panel data were used, with eight follow‐up surveys over 6 years, approximately every 6 months. Of the 2752 samples from the eight follow‐up surveys, 2293 were analyzed as the complete panel data set. The primary outcome was drug abstention for approximately 6 months. The influences of situational factors during this period on the primary outcome were also assessed using a generalized linear mixed model in which inter‐individual differences were controlled as variable effects.The use of residential DARCs positively influenced the primary outcome (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79–6.21) when compared to no DARC usage. The cessation of drinking also positively affected the primary outcome (AOR 3.10, 95% CI 1.79–4.62), while employment status (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.12–4.41) and the cessation of drinking (AOR 4.92, 95% CI 2.77–8.72) positively impacted the primary outcomes of patients not using DARCs.The use of residential DARCs and the cessation of drinking positively affected drug abstention rates. Employment and the cessation of drinking for patients who were not using the DARCs also had a positive effect. This information will aid in the development of social recovery strategies for people with drug use disorders.