MOTIVATING METHADONE PATIENTS TO INCLUDE DRUG-FREE SIGNIFICANT OTHERSIN TREATMENT - A BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION

The present study introduced a novel behavioral approach for encouragi ng methadone-treated patients to bring drug-free significant other sup port into treatment. Seventy-five patients referred to high-intensity psychosocial treatment due to chronic drug use were given 3 weeks to i dentify a drug-free significant other Patients noncompliant with this intervention were started on a methadone dose taper that was stopped w hen significant other support was identified. Patients and their signi ficant others were required to attend a significant other group one ti me per week for a minimum of 6 weeks. Eighty-five percent of the patie nts brought a drug-free significant other into treatment. Significant others included family members, partners, and friends. Patients who id entified significant other support complied with 77% of their schedule d sessions. The results demonstrated that most methadone patients have drug-free support people who are willing to participate in their trea tment. These individuals can be utilized to help patients initiate the process of building new drug;free social support networks. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Inc.