CHARACTERISTICS OF METHADONE PATIENTS RESPONDING TO TAKE-HOME INCENTIVES

The present study examined the demographic, behavioral, and psychiatri c differences between patients in a methadone maintenance treatment sa mple who achieved drug-free status and earned the maximum level of tak e-homes (n = 20) during a one-year assessment period and patients matc hed on race, gender, and days in treatment who failed to meet take-hom e criteria. Twenty-four percent of new methadone maintenance intakes a chieved the maximum level of take-homes. Patients who earned take-home s were more often employed and less likely to have a cohabitating part ner who used illicit drugs. Further, patients who earned take-homes ev idenced less baseline cocaine and heroin use than patients in the matc hed comparison group. There were no group differences on psychiatric p rofile. The results demonstrate that patients who might succeed on a t ake-home incentive program can be distinguished from patients who may not improve without additional treatment intervention.