Abstract
This study examined the relationship between continuation in an opiate treatment program and patient characteristics such as affect regulation, insight, and capacity for interpersonal relations. Participants consisted of 63 patients randomly selected from those completing an initial interview at a short-term heroin detoxification program. Patient characteristics were assessed using the Capacity for Dynamic Process Scale (CDPS). Results of this study indicated that the CDPS total score for each patient was related to the subsequent number of treatment sessions attended by that patient and significantly differentiated dropouts from completers. These findings support previous use of the CDPS in psychotherapy research. In addition, this study extends use of the CDPS to research on brief pharmacotherapy treatment of opiate addiction.