Gender Differences and Treatment Outcomes Among Methadone Patients in the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study

Abstract

This study examined gender differences among 727 individuals in 21 methadone treatment programs. At treatment entry, a greater proportion of men abused alcohol, lived with their parents, were under legal supervision, and were employed; a greater proportion of women received public assistance, were depressed, had a substance-abusing spouse, and engaged in high-risk sexual behavior. Cocaine use was associated with continued heroin use for both men and women, regardless of treatment participation. Using alcohol, living with one's parents, and having a negative reference group were associated with poorer treatment outcomes among women who received methadone treatment during the follow-up period; criminal justice pressure was associated with abstinence for men who were not in treatment.