Outpatient drug-free (non methadone) treatment is the most widely utilized of available drug abuse treatment modalities. Yet it has received disproportionately little attention in research and development efforts. One group particularly in need of outpatient care are recently detoxified i.v. drug abusers. These individuals have already utilized significant treatment resources during their inpatient stay, but remain at risk for HIV infection if they return immediately to drug use upon discharge. Prognosis would be improved by enrollment in continuing care. Yet rates of initiating outpatient treatment after being referred from a detox program are surprising low and retention in outpatient treatment is extremely poor. The purpose of this services research grant project is to investigate l) methods for transitioning iv drug abusers of heroin or heroin and cocaine from detoxification to outpatient aftercare treatment services, 2) methods for retaining these patients in aftercare treatment once they make a program contact and 3) methods for preventing relapse to drug use after the brief inpatient period of abstinence. Study 1 will document naturalistic outcomes over 6-months in a cohort (N = 150) of iv drug abusers discharged from a 3-day medically supervised detoxification program to determine the extent and duration of their post-detox treatment enrollment as well as drug use, social adjustment and HIV risk exposure outcomes. Study 2 will determine the impact of four treatment transition interventions (commitment contracting, contingency contracting, escorted referral and usual care referral) on patients' post-detox contact with and subsequent retention in outpatient drug-free treatment. Study 3 will evaluate separate and combined effects on treatment retention of two practical interventions- transportation service and incentive payment- designed to promote retention in outpatient treatment, which is typically very poor. Finally, Study 4 will a) evaluate effects on treatment retention and drug use of abstinence incentive procedures previously shown effective for outpatient treatment of cocaine abusers, b) evaluate effects of intensive behavioral counseling modeled on the Community Reinforcement Approach previously shown effective for outpatient treatment of alcoholics and cocaine abusers and c) determine the extent to which behavioral counseling enhances the benefits of abstinence incentive procedures designed to directly influence drug abusers toward achieving desired outcome goals. Overall, this grant project will provide valuable new information about the effectiveness of methods to attract and retain iv drug abusers in outpatient drug-free treatment and to achieve relapse prevention goals. The treatment outcome data obtained from patients making the transition from medically supervised detoxification treatment to outpatient aftercare, will have broader application for improving any outpatient drug-free treatment service. The data generated will have implications for policy debates about the most effective way to spend limited resources in order to produce the best results from outpatient drug abuse treatment services.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA010192-05
Application #
6164451
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRCD (20))
Program Officer
Racioppo, Melissa M
Project Start
1996-04-01
Project End
2002-02-28
Budget Start
2000-03-01
Budget End
2002-02-28
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$763,703
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Jones, Hendree E; Wong, Conrad J; Tuten, Michelle et al. (2005) Reinforcement-based therapy: 12-month evaluation of an outpatient drug-free treatment for heroin abusers. Drug Alcohol Depend 79:119-28
Katz, Elizabeth C; Chutuape, Mary Ann; Jones, Hendree et al. (2004) Abstinence incentive effects in a short-term outpatient detoxification program. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 12:262-8
Cumberbatch, Zulema; Copersino, Marc; Stitzer, Maxine et al. (2004) Comparative drug use and psychosocial profiles of opioid dependents applying for medication versus medication-free treatment. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 30:237-49
Katz, Elizabeth C; Chutuape, Mary Ann; Jones, Hendree E et al. (2002) Voucher reinforcement for heroin and cocaine abstinence in an outpatient drug-free program. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 10:136-43
Chutuape, M A; Katz, E C; Stitzer, M L (2001) Methods for enhancing transition of substance dependent patients from inpatient to outpatient treatment. Drug Alcohol Depend 61:137-43
Katz, E C; Gruber, K; Chutuape, M A et al. (2001) Reinforcement-based outpatient treatment for opiate and cocaine abusers. J Subst Abuse Treat 20:93-8
Chutuape, M A; Jasinski, D R; Fingerhood, M I et al. (2001) One-, three-, and six-month outcomes after brief inpatient opioid detoxification. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 27:19-44
Gruber, K; Chutuape, M A; Stitzer, M L (2000) Reinforcement-based intensive outpatient treatment for inner city opiate abusers: a short-term evaluation. Drug Alcohol Depend 57:211-23
Armenian, S H; Chutuape, M A; Stitzer, M L (1999) Predictors of discharges against medical advice from a short-term hospital detoxification unit. Drug Alcohol Depend 56:1-8
Carpenter, M J; Chutuape, M A; Stitzer, M L (1998) Heroin snorters versus injectors: comparison on drug use and treatment outcome in age-matched samples. Drug Alcohol Depend 53:11-5