Four clinical experimental studies will be conducted which may demonstrate improved methods of retaining opioid-dependent persons in treatment on methadone maintenance. The effects of four treatment innovations on retention and rehabilitation will be studied. In addition, because intravenous drug users are at increased risk for HIV infection due to needle sharing and unsafe sexual practices, the effects of treatment on AIDS risk behavior will be assessed. The four treatment innovations to be studied include: elimination of patient fees, extended dispensing hours, patient-regulated methadone dose, and optional counseling. In each study 15 opioid-dependent patients admitted to methadone maintenance will be randoml assigned to experimental and control groups. . Both groups will have the same treatment, except that the experimental group will have the treatment innovation. The groups will be compared on several outcome variables, including months retained in treatment, intravenous use of illicit drugs, employment, criminality, needle sharing, and sexual practices. Multivariate analyses will be conducted in an attempt to estimate to what extent the background variables predict outcomes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects (R18)
Project #
5R18DA006128-03
Application #
3441644
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRCD (02))
Project Start
1989-09-30
Project End
1994-08-31
Budget Start
1991-09-01
Budget End
1992-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800772162
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78229
Maddux, J F; Vogtsberger, K N; Desmond, D P et al. (1993) Program changes and retention on methadone. J Subst Abuse Treat 10:585-8
Maddux, J F; Esquivel, M; Vogtsberger, K N et al. (1991) Methadone dose and urine morphine. J Subst Abuse Treat 8:195-201