A DIFFERENTIAL-ASSESSMENT OF THE CUMULATIVE VERSUS STABILIZING EFFECTOF METHADONE-MAINTENANCE TREATMENT

Differential response effectiveness is examined for patients during mu ltiple episodes of methadone maintenance (MM) treatment. Subjects were 251 narcotics addicts who were divided into three groups based on the ir daily narcotics use pattern during their first two MM treatment per iods: (1) a ''stabilizing group''-showing no daily use for both period s, (2) a ''cumulative group''-showing a lower level of daily use durin g the second period compared to the first, and (3) a ''deteriorating g roup''-showing higher daily use during the second period. Behavioral m easures for various narcotics-related variables were plotted over 4 ti me periods (pre-MM, during first MM, between first and second episodes , and during second MM) were compared. Results indicated several indiv idual differences related to patients' response to multiple episodes o f MM. Clinical, research, and policy implications are discussed.