Counselor Effectiveness in a Methadone Maintenance Program

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Abstract
Counselor effectiveness for 253 heroin addicts in a methadone maintenance program was studied. The results of patient urinalysis for heroin use was chosen to assess counselor effectiveness. No significant differences in heroin use were found for the following groups of patients: those with multiple ex-addict (EA) counselors, those with multiple nonaddict (NA) counselors, patients with time periods with EA counselors followed by time periods with NA counselors, or vice versa, those with a single NA counselor, and those with a single EA counselor. Patients with no counselor for 1/3 or more of each study period had a significantly greater percent of urines positive for heroin.