A multisite study of the effectiveness of methamphetamine treatment: An initiative of the center for substance abuse treatment

In 1998, responding to national and regional epidemiological data indicatin g that methamphetamine (MA) abuse was a growing problem in the United State s, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) initiated a multisite MA treatment study. Through a collaborative approach among CSAT, seven treatm ent sites, and a coordinating center, the study compares the clinical and c ost effectiveness of a manualized, cognitive-behavioral outpatient treatmen t developed by the Matrix Center in Los Angeles to the treatment approaches currently employed by the treatment sites. The study also explores technol ogy transfer issues associated with integrating the Matrix approach within existing treatment settings. CSAT's approach to the initiation and manageme nt of this type of study is discussed.