NEUROBEHAVIORAL TREATMENT FOR COCAINE-USING METHADONE PATIENTS - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Preliminary outcome evaluation results are reported for an innovative cocaine abuse treatment model adapted for cocaine-using methadone pati ents. Sixty-two patients were randomly assigned to six months of high intensity (''neurobehavioral'') or lower intensity (''control'') thera py for cocaine dependence. Therapy was completed by 49% of neurobehavi oral and 53% of control patients. In paired comparisons between intake and six-month follow-up, neurobehavioral patients but not controls sh owed significant declines in cocaine and other drug use (measured by u rinalysis and self-reports), as well as significant improvement in psy chological status. The findings suggest that specialized cocaine abuse treatment can benefit methadone patients; intake to the study is cont inuing.