Table 2.
Synthesis of clinical and rehabilitation outcomes reported across the included studies
| Outcome domain | Studies reporting outcome | Overall synthesis | Consistency | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment retention | 3 | Residential therapeutic communities achieved higher retention than detoxification services; structured programs reduced early dropout. | High | High |
| Treatment completion | 3 | Completion improved with structured rehabilitation and was positively associated with student status, whereas drug type showed limited influence. | High | High |
| Relapse | 4 | Relapse remained common, primarily driven by unemployment, family conflict, peer influence, and stimulant use disorders. | High | High |
| Readmission | 4 | Approximately one-third of patients experienced readmission within one year, with amphetamine use increasing risk. | High | High |
| Length of hospital stay | 2 | Psychiatric comorbidity was the strongest predictor of prolonged hospitalization. | High | High |
| Abstinence and biomedical recovery | 2 | Treatment improved short-term abstinence and several physiological biomarkers, although oxidative stress abnormalities persisted. | Moderate | Moderate |
| Psychiatric comorbidity | 2 | Mental health disorders increased both hospital stay and risk of readmission. | High | Moderate–High |
| Quality of life and social functioning | 2 | Therapeutic communities provided strong peer support but demonstrated weaknesses in vocational rehabilitation and life-skills training. | High | Moderate |
| Employment outcomes | 5 | Unemployment was consistently associated with poorer treatment outcomes and greater relapse risk. | High | High |
| Family involvement | 4 | Family support facilitated recovery, whereas family conflict contributed to relapse. | Moderate–High | Moderate |
| Aftercare | 2 | Structured aftercare was well accepted but suffered from poor participation and limited objective monitoring. | High | Moderate |
| Healthcare technology | 6 | Digital technologies were largely absent from routine addiction care despite substantial opportunities for EHR integration, predictive analytics, and digital follow-up. | High | High |
Note: Evidence synthesis was derived from all included studies and reflects overall consistency rather than individual study findings