Influence of a Cash Fee on Outpatient Heroin Detoxification

Abstract

Twenty-eight employed heroin addicts who were admitted to 10-day, outpatient detoxification and paid a modest fee were compared to 28 poverty-level, unemployed patients who received free detoxification. Patients were matched for admission date within ±30 days, sex, age within ±5 years, total lengrh of heroin use within ±3 years, and parole/probation status. At the end of detoxification treatment, 9 of 28 (32.1%) patients who paid a fee, and 11 of 28 (39.3%,) patients who were given free treatment had urines which were devoid of heroin derivative (PNS). Three or less patients in each group chose to remain in longer-term treatment (PNS). These results suggest that a patient fee did not favorably influence outcome of outpatinent heroin detoxification.