CAN YOU TRUST PATIENT SELF-REPORTS OF DRUG-USE DURING TREATMENT

This study compared two frequently used measures of drug use, urine te sting and self-report in a sample of subjects currently enrolled in me thadone treatment for a minimum of six months. A comparison between th e percentage of positive opiate urine screens and subjects' self-repor ted opiate use indicated that more patients self-reported opiate use ( 80%) than had been detected by urinalysis (57%). Similar results were found for cocaine use. We present arguments that a more inclusive meth od of measuring drug use during treatment should include the combinati on of both urinalysis and self-reports.