@article {Saitz:January 2005:0965-2140:70,
	author = "Saitz, Richard",
	author = "Horton, Nicholas J.",
	author = "Larson, Mary Jo",
	author = "Winter, Michael",
	author = "Samet, Jeffrey H.",
	title = "Primary medical care and reductions in addiction severity: a prospective cohort study",
	journal = "Addiction",
	volume = "100",
	year = "January 2005",
	abstract = "Aims <P></P>To assess whether receipt of primary medical care can lead to improved outcomes for adults with addictions. Design <P></P>We studied a prospective cohort of adults enrolled in a randomized trial to improve linkage with primary medical care. Methods <P></P>Subjects at a residential detoxification unit with alcohol, heroin or cocaine as a substance of choice, and no primary medical care were enrolled. Receipt of primary medical care was assessed over 2 years. Outcomes included (1) alcohol severity, (2) drug severity and (3) any substance use. Findings <P></P>For the 391 subjects, receipt of primary care (<IMG SRC="/iso-ents/isotech/ge.gif" ALT="ge">2 visits) was associated with a lower odds of drug use or alcohol intoxication (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.45, 95&#037; confidence interval (CI) 0.29&#150;0.69, 2 d.f. <IMG SRC="/iso-ents/isogrk32/chi-s.gif" ALT="chi"><SUP>2</SUP><I>P</I> = 0.002). For 248 subjects with alcohol as a substance of choice, alcohol severity was lower in those who received primary care [predicted mean Addiction Severity Index (ASI) alcohol scores for those reporting <IMG SRC="/iso-ents/isotech/ge.gif" ALT="ge">&#160;2, 1 and 0 visits, respectively, 0.30, 0.26 and 0.34, <I>P</I> = 0.04]. For 300 subjects with heroin or cocaine as a substance of choice, drug severity was lower in those who received primary care (predicted mean ASI drug scores for those reporting <IMG SRC="/iso-ents/isotech/ge.gif" ALT="ge">&#160;2, 1 and 0 visits, respectively, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.16, <I>P</I> = 0.01). Conclusions <P></P>Receipt of primary medical care is associated with improved addiction severity. These results support efforts to link patients with addictions to primary medical care services.",
	pages = "70-78(9)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/add/2005/00000100/00000001/art00015"
	doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.00916.x"
}