Predicting the outcome of contingency contracting for drug abuse

Abstract

Contingency contracting was used in an attempt to reduce the illicit drug use of 21 methadone maintenance outpatients. Eleven subjects (compliers) showed a significant reduction in illicit drug use whereas 10 subjects (violators) showed no significant change. Subject variables differentiating the two groups were examined. The variables were divided into three categories: personality (MMPI scale scores); demographic (age, education, race, marital status, and employment status); and treatment history (methadone dosage level, years of narcotic addiction, attempts at detoxification, duration of current methadone treatment, total duration of methadone treatment, frequency of drug use during baseline, and types of drugs during baseline). Treatment history variables were most useful for differentiating the two groups.