In-Treatment vs. Out-of-Treatment Opioid Dependent Adults: Drug Use and Criminal History

Abstract

This study compared the characteristics of opioid-addicted adults seeking (n = 169) and not seeking (n = 74) methadone treatment in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants entering treatment were recruited from six methadone treatment programs, while out-of-treatment participants were recruited from the streets using targeted sampling methods. Measures included the Addiction Severity Index, a Supplemental Questionnaire, and urine drug test. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, χ², and regression, holding key background variables constant. Despite the lack of differences between the samples in demographic characteristics, the out-of-treatment sample reported significantly more days of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol use and spent significantly more money on drugs and earned more illegal income at baseline.

Keywords:

• Heroin addiction
• methadone treatment