SELF-EFFICACY AND ILLICIT OPIOID USE IN A 180-DAY METHADONE DETOXIFICATION TREATMENT

Self-efficacy ratings coincided with illicit opioid use across the 3 p hases of a 180-day methadone detoxification treatment. Efficacy rating s increased after patients received their first dose of methadone, did not change while they were maintained on a stable dose of methadone, and declined during the taper as they attempted to face high-risk situ ations without the full benefit of methadone. Efficacy ratings measure d at a point before a phase of treatment predicted illicit opioid use across that phase. For clarification of the relation between self-effi cacy and illicit opioid use, 3 conceptual models proposed by J.S. Baer , C. S. Holt, and E. Lichtenstein (1986) were tested. Self-efficacy in fluenced subsequent drug use in parallel with previous behavior, but t his influence was found only at the start of the stabilization phase a nd immediately before the start of the taper phase. These findings hig hlight the usefulness of the self-efficacy concept for the treatment o f opioid addiction.