Treating cocaine-using methadone patients: predictors of outcomes in a psychosocial clinical trial.

Cocaine-using methadone patients in two clinics were assigned to 8 months of enhanced methadone treatment-primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for cocaine use-while similar patients in two "sibling" clinics were assigned to standard methadone treatment during 1995-1998. Cocaine use declined significantly from baseline to 4- and 12-month follow-ups. Patients receiving CBT rated the quality of their counseling relationship higher and obtained more supportive services than those receiving standard treatment. However, study treatment condition itself was not associated with outcome. Baseline measures associated with poorer outcomes across both treatment conditions were: currently enrolled in methadone treatment (in contrast to being newly enrolled), higher cocaine use frequency, greater cocaine use associated problem recognition, and an ambivalent attitude toward methadone. The results are consistent with some previous clinical trials showing that psychosocial treatments of different intensities result in similar declines in cocaine use. The findings indicate that methadone maintenance treatment can help dually-addicted patients reduce their cocaine use.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes