Services provided during methadone treatment - A gender comparison

Greater improvement in posttreatment outcomes has been shown in programs th at tailor frequency and type of services to unique client needs. Using a sa mple of 635 clients (199 females and 436 males) admitted to three community -based methadone treatment programs, this study examined gender differences in services needed and provided during the first 3 months of treatment. Re sults revealed that compared to males, women entered treatment with more ps ychological symptoms and AIDS/HIV-risky behaviors; they also presented with less criminal activity, less alcohol use, and higher motivation. Counselor s addressed psychological and crisis issues more frequently with women, and counseling strategies were more often directed toward developing problem-s olving and communication skills. Counselors also made more medical referral s and reported having better rapport with females. Attention to employment issues and HIV/AIDS sexual-risk behaviors did not differ by gender, even th ough women had more needs in these areas. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. Al l rights reserved.