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People who inject drugs (PWID) have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Group treatment is a practical option for addressing barriers to treatment in this population. Prior research on group treatment has resulted in mixed conclusions about its effectiveness in addressing barriers to treatment. A patient's perception of the group environment may help to explain this variability. This study sought to explore the association between indicators of group treatment environment and improved outcomes in HCV-infected PWID. This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial exploring different models of treatment for HCV in a PWID population consisted of 42 participants randomized to the group treatment branch of the trial. Independent variables consisted of group sessions attended and group climate constructs of engagement, conflict, and avoidance. Dependent variables consisted of medication adherence, social support, and health-related quality of life. The study implemented generalized estimating equations to assess associations with the outcomes at the end of treatment. Factors indicative of group treatment environment were related to medication adherence and other barriers to health for HCV-infected PWID: social support and health-related quality of life. Perceptions of conflict or avoidance were associated with worse outcomes, while increased session attendance was generally associated with better outcomes. The study attests to the importance of examining group environment factors during treatment interventions. Although preliminary, the study provides specific indicators of treatment success for HCV-infected PWID and practical implications to improve patients' health outcomes and better tailor treatment to the patient., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The goal was to identify factors that predicted sustained cocaine abstinence and transitions from cocaine use to abstinence over 24 months. Data from baseline assessments and multiple follow-ups were obtained from three studies of continuing care for patients in intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). In the combined sample, remaining cocaine abstinent and transitioning into abstinence at the next follow-up were predicted by older age, less education, and less cocaine and alcohol use at baseline, and by higher self-efficacy, commitment to abstinence, better social support, lower depression, and lower scores on other problem severity measures assessed during the follow-up. In addition, higher self-help participation, self-help beliefs, readiness to change, and coping assessed during the follow-up predicted transitions from cocaine use to abstinence. These results were stable over 24 months. Commitment to abstinence, self-help behaviors and beliefs, and self-efficacy contributed independently to the prediction of cocaine use transitions. Implications for treatment are discussed., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)