Spending of Remuneration by Subjects in Non-Treatment Drug Abuse Research Studies

Abstract

Background: This study examines remuneration spending by drug-using participants in residential drug abuse research. Methods: Ninety-four adult males who participated in residential, non-treatment drug abuse research studies earned remuneration based on length of stay and specific research procedures. Remuneration could be in cash after discharge or for in-kind purchases and bill payments. Spending of remuneration was extracted from charts and evaluated with multivariate analyses. Results: Participants received average remuneration of $1,454, taking 59% in cash. Other categories included cigarettes (60.6% of subjects), toiletries (60.6%), clothing (54.3%), and housing (52.1%). Primary drug of abuse, total remuneration, monthly income, length of stay on the residential research unit, age, and education were significantly associated with in-kind remuneration choices. Less total remuneration, intoxication in the month prior to study, higher IQ, and non-white race were associated with taking more in cash. Conclusion: Residential drug abuse research participants prefer cash to in-kind research remuneration, and their choices reflected drug use and economic status.

Keywords:

• Drug abuse
• in-kind
• motivation
• payment
• research
• subjects