SELF-REGULATION OF DOSE IN METHADONE-MAINTENANCE WITH CONTINGENT PRIVILEGES

The effect of giving methadone maintenance clients the opportunity to regulate their dosage and of offering take-home doses as an incentive for dose reduction was studied. Subjects (116) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: self-regulation ofdose (SR-1); self-regulation of dose with incentive for reduction (SR-2) and standard treatment (control). Dependent variables were dosage and use of illicit drugs (measured by urinalyses). Results for the first four months show SR-1 subjects increased dose and maintained themselves at dosages significantly greater than the SR-2 or control groups while having significantly less use of illicit opiates during certain time periods. SR-2 subjects were not different from controls. Findings indicate subjects behaved responsibly under self-regulation and that this regimen is clinically feasible. Nevertheless, an increase in take-home privileges was an insufficient incentive to yield major reductions in dosage in SR-2 as a group. © 1979.