Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinics Research Articles

Comparison of urinary 5-hydroxytryptophol, breath ethanol, and self-report for detection of recent alcohol use during outpatient treatment: a study on methadone patients

This study compared urinary 5-hydroxytryptophol (5HTOL) with breath-ethanol testing as objective ways to disclose recent drinking by outpatients attending a methadone maintenance treatment clinic. Information about quantity and frequency of alcohol use was obtained by confidential self-reports. Random screening was performed on Mondays–Fridays in connection with routine clinic visits for methadone dosing. An observed urine sample for monitoring of illicit drug use and determination of 5HTOL, expressed as a ratio to 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA), was obtained from 202 patients (59 women and 143 men), 16 of whom refused to complete the self-report and/or do a breath-ethanol test. Patients taking disulfiram or calcium carbimide for alcohol detoxification were excluded. Among the 177 subjects remaining, 47 (26.6%) reported intake of any alcohol on the previous day (range, 10–230 g ethanol; median, 40). Only four of those could be identified by a positive breath-test, while 17 showed a urinary 5HTOL/5HIAA ratio above the cutoff limit. Their alcohol consumption (median, 60 g) was significantly higher compared with those showing ratios within the reference interval (median, 35 g). The sensitivity of 5HTOL/5HIAA testing for detecting self-reported drinking in excess of 50 g ethanol was 77%. An additional nine patients who claimed abstinence still showed abnormal 5HTOL/5HIAA ratios, and so did three of the patients who refused to do a breath-ethanol test and/or complete the self-report. Altogether, 59 of 190 methadone-maintained patients (31.1%) had been drinking any alcohol on the previous day (i.e. Sunday–Thursday) according to self-report and/or urinalysis data, 29 (49.2%) of whom were identified by the urinary 5HTOL/5HIAA ratio and only four (6.8%) by utilizing breathalyzer.

Reinforcing behaviours other than abstinence was effective in reducing drug use

Iguchi MY, Belding MA, Morral AR , et al. Reinforcing operants other than abstinence in drug abuse treatment: an effective alternative for reducing drug use. J Consult Clin Psychol 1997...

Prevention of HIV-Infection in Drug-Abusers: A Cost Analysis

Background. Counseling and testing for HIV infection is performed at many sites, including drug treatment centers. The actual cost of providing HIV counseling and testing at drug treatment sites, based upon empirical data collection, has not been reported. The average lifetime medical cost for an HIV-infected individual is $56,000. This study provides both a systematic method for estimating HIV counseling and testing costs and actual cost results. These results can be compared with the medical costs associated with HIV infection. Methods. At three publicly funded methadone treatment centers, we collected cost data on the provision of HIV counseling and testing. We obtained provider service times for HIV counseling and testing components, provider salaries and fringe rates, laboratory costs, and support costs at each center. Results. The average cost of HIV counseling and testing is $215 per client entering HIV counseling and testing and $341 per client made aware of HIV serostatus. The total direct cost of providing HIV counseling and testing is $41 for an HIV-negative client who completes the process and $57 for an HIV-positive client; the support costs add an additional $175 per client. Conclusions. Existing methadone maintenance treatment clinics planning to add HIV counseling and testing can expect costs in a range of $189 to $242 per person entering HIV counseling and testing (1991 dollars), Using an average lifetime cost of HIV infection ($56,000) and the average cost per person entering HIV counseling and testing ($215), if more than 1 person in 260 changes his or her behavior to prevent one additional HIV infection, the ratio of medical care savings to costs of counseling and testing would be greater than 1.0, a cost-saving prevention strategy.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A Primer for Physicians

The doctor-patient interaction in the methadone maintenance treatment clinic is qualitatively different from general medical settings. The patient presents with a specific request for treatment of opioid dependence, most often having already selected the methadone treatment modality, and the initial contact is centered around obtaining methadone. Addiction and needle use increase susceptibility to life-threatening illnesses, such as syphilis, endocarditis, tuberculosis, and AIDS. The physician is working with counselors, nurses, therapists and 12-Step programs, incorporating the best of the medical, psychodynamic, behavioral, and recovery models into treatment. Federal and state governments also control and regulate methadone treatment. Given this complex picture, the basic techniques of methadone maintenance treatment are reviewed, including the intake examination, the annual examination, dose adjustment, withdrawal from methadone maintenance, management of pregnant patients, dual diagnosis patients, and severely ill or medically disabled patients.

Obstacles to Vocational Rehabilitation: The Clients' Perspectives

The research literature indicates that vocational rehabilitation services are underutilized in many drug treatment programs. This study explored the perceptions of drug treatmentclients concerning use of vocational/educational (V/E) services. Clients from four methadone maintenance treatment clinics were Interviewed regarding: (a) types of VIE services received and desired by clients, (b) perceived obstacles to the use of clinic V/E services, and (c) client/clinic characteristics that may affect service utilization. Although Individuals generally reported receiving vocational counseling, many desired more job placement, vocational training, or educational assistance. Vocational counseling was seldom cited as a desired service; however, results indicated a need for such counseling with certain clients. Client- and clinic-level obstacles to service utilization are reported and ways to enhance service delivery are discussed.