Computer Delivery of Effective Psychosocial Intervention in Methadone Treatment

Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Funding Period: 2006-2011
Principal Investigator: Lisa A. Marsch, Ph.D.
Project Director: Honoria Guarino, Ph.D.

Methadone maintenance has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of opioid dependence. It has been shown to be most effective when provided along with psychosocial interventions that address an array of client needs (e.g., patient education, skills training). However, methadone programs typically offer little drug counseling or educational services and have the highest client-to-staff ratios relative to other types of drug treatment programs. In this project, an interactive computer-delivered, evidence-based psychosocial intervention – the Therapeutic Education System (TES) will be evaluated for its effectiveness. The TES contains over 65 modules to improve skills and behaviors including: family/social relations, communication and decision-making, management of negative moods and depression, time and financial management. Many modules relate specifically to drug use (e.g., drug refusal skills, managing thoughts about using drugs, prevention of HIV and hepatitis C). New patients entering methadone treatment will be randomly assigned to receive standard methadone counseling, or standard methadone counseling plus TES. Clients in both groups will be compared on drug use (using urine toxicology), treatment retention, self-reported drug use, HIV risk behavior, therapeutic alliance and psychosocial functioning. In addition, a comprehensive economic analysis of adding TES to standard methadone treatment will be performed.