The matrix model of outpatient stimulant abuse treatment: History and description

The Matrix model was originally developed in response to the cocaine epidem ic of the 1980s. The program consists of relapse prevention groups, educati on groups, social support groups, individual counseling, and urine and brea th testing delivered in a structured manner over a 16-week period. The trea tment is a directive, nonconfrontational approach which focuses on current issues and behavior change. Several evaluations of the model have supported its usefulness and efficacy with methamphetamine (MA) users. Methamphetami ne users appear to respond to treatment similarly to cocaine users and many continue to show improvements at follow-up.