Complaints that predict drop-out from a detoxification and counselling unit

Sixty-one consecutive clients in a multidrug addiction detoxification and counselling unit were interviewed by their medical counsellor about bodily pain, distress, and coherence in their life. Clients who did not complete the 3-week postdetoxification program reported a higher level of fatigue and difficulties with concentration compared with completers. Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence test showed less favourable values in noncompleters than in completers. No significant difference was found on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Factor analysis showed that both pain and emotional distress belonged to one dimension. Fatigue was the symptom that predicted drop-out when adjusting for other complaints and background factors. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.