ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE - A 90-DAY CONTRACTUAL DETOXIFICATION TREATMENT PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 68728
• Journal: Drug Forum Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (1978-79) Pages: 51-58
• Author(s): R B KAHN; N T SCHRAMM; F DAOUD
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A 90-DAY TREATMENT CONTRACT FOR METHADONE MAINTENANCE, AS OPPOSED TO A FORMER 21-DAY CONTRACT, GAVE THE STAFF MORE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM AND IS A MORE VIABLE CONTRACT ALTERNATIVE.

Abstract

THE 90-DAY CONTRACT WAS DEVELOPED BECAUSE STAFF MEMBERS FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL 3-WEEK CONTRACT DID NOT OFFER SUFFICIENT TIME TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DRUG ADDICTS AND TO TRY TO CHANGE DEEPLY ROOTED BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. UNDER THE 90-DAY CONTRACT, THE CLIENT SIGNS A STATEMENT PROMISING TO STAY DRUG-FREE FOR A FULL 3-MONTH PERIOD. EVALUATION OF 24 PATIENTS TREATED UNDER SUCH CONTRACTS IN THE FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, NARCOTIC ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM FOUND THAT SIX OBTAINED LEGITIMATE EMPLOYMENT WHILE ON THE PROGRAM AND ONE ATTENDED A TRAINING SCHOOL. FOUR DROPPED OUT, TWO VIOLATED PAROLE AND WERE RETURNED TO PRISON, AND TWO HAD NO OPIATES IN THE URINE AT THE END OF THE 90-DAY PERIOD. THE GREATEST BENEFIT WAS TO THE STAFF MEMBERS, WHO FELT THAT THE 90-DAY CONTRACT IS SUGGESTED AS ANOTHER DRUG TREATMENT ALTERNATIVE.