Successful outcome in psychotherapy depends, in part, on clients' preconceptions and expectations. Research has shown that inaccurate expectations are more prevalent among lower socioeconomic status clients, who also represent the majority of substance abusers in community treatment programs. To investigate the effect of general and specific psychotherapy role induction on return rates and attendance in psychotherapy with substance abuse clients, 68 males and 53 females, aged 14-63, with a mean monthly income of $531, participated in one of four therapy groups. Prior to treatment, the subjects received an intake interview and either a general psychotherapy role induction, a drug treatment specific role induction, or were placed in one of two control conditions. The role induction presentations focused on therapy goals and outcomes, and participant roles and functions. Specific goals related to substance abuse were presented in the specific role induction condition. An analysis of the results showed that subjects who received role induction procedures were more likely than controls to return after the intake interview. Furthermore, subjects who received the drug treatment specific role induction returned at a significantly higher rate than all other clients. Role induction had no effect on continuation in treatment. (Author/BL)